Readings for Epiphany, January 6, 2016, Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72: 1-7, 10-14, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod...wise men came from the East to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." ... Herod...sent them to Bethlehem...When they saw that the star had stopped they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother...and...they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
[Matthew 2:1-2, 8a, 10-12]
Twelfth Night - the official conclusion of the Twelve Days of Christmas - is upon us. Now is the time to put the Magi figures into the family creche; well, except they're probably already there or the creche is slowly being packed away for another year. Epiphany - a sudden intuitive understanding, an appearance of God - overwhelmed the Wise Men with joy having traversed afar bearing gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. For many of us, this gleaming incarnation, this theophany, has, perhaps, lost its luster. But let us be as little children once again with the starry-eyed wonder of the season of Christmas with the birth of the Baby Jesus, the shepherds, the baaa-ing sheep, and lowing cattle, choirs of angels, and a multitude of the heavenly host. Let us keep watch again this night as the Three Kings, overwhelmed with joy, kneel to present their gifts to this sacred Child. Gold is symbolic of Christ as King while Frankincense speaks to His Divinity. But what of Myrrh, its bitter perfume, breathes a life of gathering gloom, a medicinal spice used often in those times to anoint the dead. Kingship, Divinity, Foreboding....Come, let us adore Him, who is the heartbeat of God. Let us keep watch with Him, let us follow Him, come what may.
Click on the video for the Robert Shaw Chorale with We Three Kings:
Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.
[Matthew 2:1-2, 8a, 10-12]
Twelfth Night - the official conclusion of the Twelve Days of Christmas - is upon us. Now is the time to put the Magi figures into the family creche; well, except they're probably already there or the creche is slowly being packed away for another year. Epiphany - a sudden intuitive understanding, an appearance of God - overwhelmed the Wise Men with joy having traversed afar bearing gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. For many of us, this gleaming incarnation, this theophany, has, perhaps, lost its luster. But let us be as little children once again with the starry-eyed wonder of the season of Christmas with the birth of the Baby Jesus, the shepherds, the baaa-ing sheep, and lowing cattle, choirs of angels, and a multitude of the heavenly host. Let us keep watch again this night as the Three Kings, overwhelmed with joy, kneel to present their gifts to this sacred Child. Gold is symbolic of Christ as King while Frankincense speaks to His Divinity. But what of Myrrh, its bitter perfume, breathes a life of gathering gloom, a medicinal spice used often in those times to anoint the dead. Kingship, Divinity, Foreboding....Come, let us adore Him, who is the heartbeat of God. Let us keep watch with Him, let us follow Him, come what may.
Click on the video for the Robert Shaw Chorale with We Three Kings:
Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.
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