“Reflecting on the Ways We Have Gifts to Share” by The Rev. Kaji Douša
I hope you had a wonderful Christmastide – which ends tomorrow, January 6.This week, I’m excited to join you in celebrating the feast of the epiphany – often known as Three Kings Day.
We will spend some time learning about the Magoi, and reflecting on the ways we have gifts to share, particularly as we set intentions around the next season in our faith lives.
See you in church!
Pax,
Pastor Kaji
Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12 (Year A, p. 92):
1 Now Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod; suddenly sages from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the one born king of the Judeans? For we have seen his star at its ascent and have come to reverence him.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was shaken, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 then calling together all the chief priests and religious scholars of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah would be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for it has been written by the prophet:
6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
by no means are least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod secretly called for the sages and learned from them the time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go, search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word so that I may also go and reverence him.” 9 When they had heard the king, they left, and there suddenly was the star that they had seen at its ascent going before them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they rejoiced; their joy was exuberant. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and reverenced him. Then, opening their treasure, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.