This weeks reading:

The Visit of the Magi

Matthew 2:1-12

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him. When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. In Bethlehem in Judea, they replied, for this is what the prophet has written:

'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him. After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

At Epithany we mark the arrival of the Magi or Wise Men who paid homage to Jesus. The shepherds in the Crib are replaced by these wise men who came from lands far away. There are lots of rituals associated with Epiphany. The first is the announcing of the various Holy Days throughout the year. Make sure these are all in your diary. You are also invited to take home with you EPIPHANY WATER and EPIPHANY CHALK. Sprinkle the Holy Water in your homes to bless them for the year ahead and then mark the outside of your house with the chalk in the manner shown on the additional sheet. This shows us that we don’t leave religion in Church but take it home as well.