The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ

The Collect
O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Psalm
72

The Readings
Isaiah 60:1-6, 9     +     Ephesians 3:1-12     +     Matthew 2:1-12

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 knelt down and paid him homage.
~Matthew 2:10-11a

A reflection from the Rev. Christine McSpadden:

"We can look to the magi for cues as seekers in our own generation. We, too, look for the living Christ, needing in some measure to see and experience in order to bear witness. We journey with companions, trying to discern a path with the guideposts we are given in word and sacrament. We come, too, bearing the various gifts to lay at Jesus' feet--the gifts of our lives, our passions and loves, the fruits of our labors and pursuits. Then we too are sent out to share the good news to which we have witnessed: that nothing separates us from the love of God who is with us even to the end of the age."
~from Soul Proclamations: Singing the Magnificat with Mary


Closing Prayer
Almighty God, who made known the Incarnation of thy Word by a star of stunning brilliance, which the wise men followed until they came to worship and offer their treasures before the infant Lord resting in his mother's arms; grant that the star of thy righteousness may always appear in our hearts to lead us and to inspire us to offer the treasure of our praise and the worship of lives that reflect thy goodness; through him whose birth among us is our hope. Amen.
~from Saint Augustine's Prayer Book, p. 219