Epiphany Sermon St Giles Horspath 5th Jan 2024

 Epiphany 2025 St Giles Horspath

 

Today we anticipate the Feast of Epiphany, the twelfth day of Christmas which is tomorrow. 

What we celebrate at Epiphany is a deep mystery – God’s revelation to the world in Jesus Christ, born as a humble, vulnerable child in an out of the way place.  Emmanuel, God with us. 

 

The Epiphany narrative occurs only In Matthew’s gospel; the Magi strangers from far away. Here is a key message at the beginning of Matthew’s gospel, a gospel written for a largely Jewish community, this is that Jesus is here not just for the Jewish people but for all.

 

When they do find him, their first instinct is to stoop low and worship him.  These Magi/wise men who were probably learned and used to high status have the sense to know that they do not have all the answers, to know what you don’t know is an important kind of wisdom. 

 

The Magi have dropped everything, left their country and the comforts of home, to set out for a distant land. Their guide is a bright star that has led them almost – but not quite all the way – to the new-born king.

 

Like much of the Christmas story Epiphany unfolds at nighttime, and into a world with two types of darkness.   There is the darkness of nighttime.  These Magi are led not at break of day but by a star in the night sky.  I am very much a morning person and each year this surprises me.  I would think it much easier to do something by first light than in the darkness of night. 

 

There is also the brooding, threatening darkness of evil and human wrongdoing represented by Herod’s cruel and jealous exercise of power. King Herod, having determined the exact time of the star’s appearance, orders the slaughter of all male infants ‘two years old or under’ (2.16).  The light of Christ is already confronting the darkness of tyranny and already Incarnation is costly!

 

We still live in a world with much darkness, there are still insecure tyrannical leaders who will stop at nothing to protect their power and their reputations. At present there is continuing war in Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.  The Middle East is consumed by tension especially the bible lands of Israel and Palestine. Our fragile world does not always feel a safe place to be.

 

 Perhaps our prayer this Epiphany could be that like the magi God will make us attentive to signs of hope and light.  When the Magi do arrive and find the infant Jesus, despite the high status they probably experience in their home countries they are overwhelmed by joy, and they kneel and stoop down to pay him homage and present their 3 gifts. 

 

 

Our very survival us a church both locally and nationally relies on our ability to draw outsiders to us.  When we succeed I believe it will be because our authenticity attracts others to us.  They will perceive that we are in some ways like the Magi because we are people of light, of joy and of radical welcome. Joy is infectious and if we are a people who can reclaim the joy the Magi experienced on meeting the infant Jesus then we will surely attract people to us.  

 

In researching for this sermon, I came across a poem by Mary Robinson;

 

Pay attention.

Be astonished.

Tell about it.

 

Those seven words seem to me to sum up much of the message of Epiphany.

 

Pay attention.

Be astonished.

Tell about it.

 

 

We need to be attentive to signs of God’s presence amongst us.  We need to be open to be amazed, stretched and astonished by it and we need not to keep it to ourselves! 

 

For some this is the season of Resolutions, I know myself well enough to know that a resolution will not be my best motivator.  Instead, I look for a word, I believe some people call these star words or a word for the year. It can be a constant but gentle reminder to us. Once a word emerges, you can write it on a piece of paper or create your own paper star and put it in a place where you will see it often, perhaps a fridge door or a bookmark for a prayer book or bible, whatever works for you. 

 

In a Christian context there are several words that come to mind, something that works for me is to look at the fruits of the spirit love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. My word will be kindness which I hope to express not just to others but to myself. "Notice your word in places and in conversations throughout the year." (“The Feast of the Epiphany (C) - The Episcopal Church”) As you continue to reflect, you might find yourself in a year-long conversation with God.

 

 

The Season of Epiphany is celebration of God’s light in the darkness revealed to us. The Word made flesh for all people. May we receive God’s gift with attention and with the willingness to be astonished, and the courage to speak of and share this gift of light with others.

 

 

I pray that during 2025 we will find a deep joy that attracts and astonishes and that we will find a way to tell of that love and joy.