This is the first Sunday of Epiphany! Hope, growth, joy, and fulfillment are at the heart of this season. For some of us who did not grow up in liturgical traditions it will take a while to get used to all the different colors and significance of each event and season. The good news is that our children who grow up in this environment will have a better sense of time than most of us will. It is one of the great joys of a pastor to see little ones worshiping in this congregation. To see them singing, to see their wonder at the lighting of the Advent Candles, to see them confess the Lord’s Prayer with great fervor, to see them raise their hands, to see them receive God’s benediction. Surely every time we worship, Screwtape advises his demon-student to run away from that little congregation in Pensacola.
Worship, is after all, for children. And if we are to participate we must be just like them. That is what Jesus said: “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Epiphany invites us to enter with a pure heart and to worship with the fervor and transparency of a little child. Epiphany is the God-man revealing himself to the nations; Epiphany is God’s challenge to tyranny for in that little baby boy are the hopes of the entire world.
This morning: smile, sing, and celebrate man’s gifts to Christ, for Christ has become a gift to the world.
Prayer: O God
Who by a star
guided the wise men to the worship of your Son
we pray you to lead to yourself
the wise and great of every land
that unto you every knee may bow,
and every thought be brought into captivity
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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