Matthew 2: 1-12 (2026)
In the law and the prophets, you gave us your will and in Jesus Christ you revealed your love. Open our minds by the power of your Spirit so that we might understand what you are saying to the church.
Today is the Sunday before Epiphany
The secular definition of epiphany is an “a-ha” moment.
We love these “out-of-nowhere” gifts: sudden clarity about a tough decision,
a creative solution to a thorny problem,
a revelation about a relationship.
But most often, epiphanies come after long periods of study or research
Epiphany marks the end of the Christmas season, and it also arrives just after New Year’s Day
This week has been a week full of wishes for something new, a hope for an epiphany perhaps
We say Happy New Year
We make new resolutions as to what we plan to do in the coming year
We read meditations and articles that are designed to help us on our new path
The gospel usually read close to Epiphany Sunday is the lesson in Matthew read today
In this gospel lesson we have the familiar story of the wise men who followed a star to the baby Jesus
This amazing story of the wise men’s experience is shared with many, but not everyone is happy about this remarkable story
We have Herod the king, who we are told was troubled by the news of the wise men
It is generally agreed in polite circles that Herod was a bad guy
He tried to kill the baby Jesus
He lied to the wise men
In short, he rejected the story that the Wise men brought to him
There was an epiphany waiting to happen
And Herod turned that epiphany away from himself
There is a part of us that is like Herod
When we are introduced to something new, we can turn away to what is known and safe
When we are offered an invitation by God to bring good news to our world,
we can find reasons why those in front of us don’t need to hear our message
Someone who tried to be open to God’s invitation was Maya Angelou who was interviewed by George Stroumboulopoulos a few years ago
Maya was a known poet, artist and educator
Her accomplishments are too many to name
She was a woman of faith and a woman of compassion
She was also a woman with a past
When some of her exploits were touched upon
She said
We need to have room to forgive
We don’t know what an inexperienced young person might do
It is easy to judge, but also possible to release compassion and kindness
(These are not her exact words, but the message that I understood)
Maya learned much in her life
And I think one of her greatest lessons has been to show love and acceptance
She understood herself to be loved and cherished by God
And so she could love and cherish others
She accepted that people have the capacity to be like Herod
To reject truth
She also knew that she had been able to put that part of herself aside and to try to be like her God
The same invitation is there for each one of us too.
We hope that when we are offered the truth that we will not be like Herod
The other main people in our gospel are the wise men
They knew something was up because they had seen a new star
The wise men could also be called astrologers
They studied the stars and so when there was something new in the heavens they were intrigued
Christian tradition holds that the Magi were kings
We see an interesting contrast between these kings’ response to Jesus’ birth and the way Herod, king of God’s people, responded
As interesting as this designation may be
a more precise description of these men might be that the Magi belonged to the priestly caste of Zoroastrianism, which paid particular attention to the stars.
This priestly caste gained an international reputation for astrology, which was at that time highly regarded as a science.
So these Wise Ones from the East were scientists and practiced other religions, and God used their faith and knowledge to bring them to the Christ.
More ironic, God used scientists who practiced other religions to let King Herod and the chief priests and scribes of the people in on the news that their Messiah had been born.
God seems to do whatever it takes to reach out to and embrace all people
The wise men were made aware of what God was doing through their study
They saw something new, and they pushed the limits to find out what that something new was
This marks them as different right away
It seems to be human nature to shy away from that which is different
This week I herd an author being interviewed on the radio talking about his book
He has written a book in which he makes that point that people will resist a new point of view simply because it is new
He cited a few examples of people resisting a proposed change simply because it was new,
They resisted the change even when the change was a good one
One example that was cited was the work of Dr. Ignace Semmelweis, who was a physician at the Vienna General Hospital in the 1800’s
He observed that the ward where doctors delivered babies had a higher maternal mortality rate than the ward where the midwives worked
Further observation had him notice that the doctors were not good about hand hygiene
Dr Semmelweis recommend that the doctors wash their hands with a chlorinated lime solution
In spite of the success of this method, it was rejected by the medical community because it departed from the practice of the day
This was one of a few examples given of how people resist that which is different even if the change is a good and helpful one
Given this study of human behaviour, it is not surprising that Herod did not want to hear about a new star pointing to a new king
I am not suggesting that we take Herod as a role model
But what if we use him as a cautionary example
What if we saw those things that are different as messages from God rather than as threats?
The wise men were open to what there was for them to learn
They didn’t look at a new star and assume that destruction was on the way
They saw a new star and went out to see what it meant
As a result they were the means by which the king sitting in Jerusalem heard about the birth of the Messiah
And they were the means by which Mary was warned to flee from Herod
What if we adopted the mindset of the wise men and looked for potential and hope around us?
What if we were able to look at an act of kindness, and then build on it?
The acts of kindness are there for us to see, if we will change our filters to let them shine through to us
Epiphany comes to those who are open to the light
This means making ourselves open to what God has to say to us and being open to what God may do through us
A number of years ago I read a devotional in which the writing of the apostle Paul was given as an example for how to be open to the guiding of God’s Spirit
Pat Bell shared some reflections on verses in Ephesians in the PCC Daily devotional
She had made it a practise to follow Ephesians 1:15-20 (NLT) and to daily pray for spiritual wisdom for those she knows
The Ephesians passage reads like this:
Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ to (1) give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that (2) your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called — his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
I also pray that you will (3) understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honour at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.
She also follows the message of Ephesians 3:14-21 (NLT) and prays for spiritual growth
When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will (1) empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. (2) Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the (3) power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you (4) experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be (5) made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through (6) his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. (Pat Bell)
At this time of year when we look for epiphany, daily prayer for spiritual guidance for ourselves and others is a good place to begin
These things are possible through effort and behaviour modification
We have probably all heard or watched a program or interview about resolutions this week, this being the time of year for resolutions and all
For those of us who live the lives of members of the family of God
There is more to it than this
We are privileged to be able to live lives of hope
God gives us hope
God who we read about in our psalm this morning
God whose righteousness is seen in justice to the poor and deliverance to the needy
God who is able to give good qualities to the rulers of the land so that righteousness may flourish and peace may abound
This is the God who walks with us day by day
The one who is there every morning
So that when we arise we can say
What will we do together today God?
Reading for guidance is a good start in looking for an epiphany
Our definition that we started with this morning reminds that epiphanies come most often after long periods of study or research
God does speak to us
And like any other conversation
It is easier to hear God when we are paying attention
Daily prayer and devotional reading will help us to recognize God when the divine one speaks
Looking for the opportunities to be Christ to our world will help us to be more like the wise men and less like Herod
Lord, speak to me, that I may speak
In living echoes of Thy tone;
As Thou hast sought, so let me seek
Thy erring children lost and lone.
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
God of all time and space,
as we gather in prayer, we recognize that our lives are but small details
in the vast expanse of your universe.
So we thank you for attending to the details of our lives.
We thank you for the year just past,
for walking through the good days and the hard days with us.
Thank you for friendships and relationships that sustain us in uncertain times.
We ask for your Spirit to guide us into the future,
and create new possibilities for ministry and mission through our congregation.
In gratitude,
our hearts kneel before you, O God;
Receive our humble prayers.
God of all people and places,
the year just ending has held sorrows for so many in our community and around the world.
We remember dear ones of have died
and pray for those who look ahead in loneliness or sadness…..
A silence is kept.
We pray for those who have faced challenges in health, in their families or at work…..
A silence is kept.
Support each one who needs you close by.
In compassion,
Our hearts kneel before you, O God;
Receive our humble prayers.
God of light and love,
As we face the year ahead, so much around us is still uncertain.
We seek your strength and guidance in each challenge we will face.
Draw near to each one who must confront illness, loss,
economic hardship or changing circumstances….
A silence is kept.
Guide those for whom new opportunities appear and choices must be made.
In anticipation,
our hearts kneel before you, O God;
Receive our humble prayers.
God of community and commitment,
We pray for wisdom and courage in the year ahead.
Strengthen us as a congregation to be a lively and committed witness to your love.
Help us reach out to our community in faithfulness and service.
Guide leaders in our nation and around the world
so that justice and peace may prevail,
especially in troubled places and vulnerable lives.
Show us all how to honour and protect your creation,
even when that takes sacrifice on our part.
Receive our humble prayers and encourage us onward in the name of Jesus our Christ in whose name we pray. Amen
Commission and Blessing
Go in courage and confidence to face the year ahead, sure that the light of Christ will guide you.
And may God bless you and keep you; may God’s face shine upon you;
and may God be gracious to you and give you joy and peace this day and every day,
now and evermore. Amen.