I do trust that you had some joy, peace and thankfulness in your Christmas days. In our rush into January, as the Feast of the Epiphany too slips past us, I invite you to pause for a moment, to recall those amazing visitors to the Christ child, so beloved by carol writers and Christmas card artists.
In Matthew’s Gospel account, we read that the star came to rest over the place where the child was. The amazing star, supernatural guide for Magi from outside the Jewish nation and tradition, leading them precisely to the Saviour of the World. In this wonderful moment we see that Christ fulfilled prophecy and that His first coming and the Redemption He brings are given to challenge all humankind - Christ waits even now, for response from Jew and Gentile alike. When the Magi saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy (Matt 2.9-10). I do hope you too can feel, if only just a little, overwhelmed with joy in your Saviour as you enter a New Year.
The Prophet Isaiah (60.1-3), long before the Incarnation took place, set the scene -
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will be seen upon you.
3 And nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Dear Lord, we make it our prayer for 2024, that this year more and more people from the nations of the World - and their rulers - will come to the light of the Gospel and be overwhelmed with joy. Amen.
Happy New Year!
Revd Godfrey Smallman