As we gather, we recognize that we live, work, pray, and play
in the traditional, unceded lands
of the Cowichan Tribes and Coast Salish People. 
We continue to commit ourselves
to the work of reconciliation and relationship-building
with our First Nations neighbours.     

Call to Worship:

We have seen his star in the East,
and have come
to worship him.

Matthew 2.2

O Come. Let Us Worship. 

Gathering 

Almighty God,
to you all hearts are open, all desires known,
and from you no secrets are hidden.
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the
inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

The Gloria

Glory to God in the highest,
All and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly king,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Collect for Today 

Eternal God,
who by a star
led wise men to the worship of your Son.
Guide by your light the nations of the earth,
that the whole world may know your glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Proclamation of the Gospel:

Matthew 2. 1-12

May the words of my lips and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable to You, O Lord.  Amen.

" With the Magi--What Changes? " 

  
As we present the Magi at the Crêche this morning, many homes and businesses will be void of any signs of Christmas. 

Visiting our local grocery store on Boxing Day, shortly after the opening hour (because I’m sure we had an agenda of things to accomplish) I was surprised, dismayed, you might say, to find the decorations were all gone! Everything had disappeared! The signs of Christmas that had welcomed the shoppers, for a few weeks prior, was now gone! The store was void, you might say, of Christmas.

And then I thought, “That’s right—they were closed Christmas Day, to give their staff an opportunity to have time to have family, and to be together for Christmas.”
    
Except, obviously not all—because it seems that the “elves” in charge of de-decorating had totally come in and everything was gone! Everything was gone, while the world slept.
    
One observation I had this week, as well, was walking past one of the residents in our complex, and in the carport was this big white ghost, so to speak. In fact, it kind of caught me off guard—it was Boxing Day as well—and there it was! This white object! 

No. It was not the ghost of the past, or the present: it was obviously the Christmas tree, bagged up, ready to go, to be recycled.

And then I thought, “Oh! I wonder if the Valentine Cards are out yet. Maybe, even Easter eggs are present in the store. And then I remembered, “It’s not even Epiphany yet.”
    
Epiphany is that day that we often skirt passed, you might say, with record speed, moving on to the next major shopping-spree of society, believing we have already spent too many days feasting and celebrating on all the rich food of Christmas.
    
Not so—here at St. John the Baptist, or St. Michael and All Angels in Chemainus. We have two parties to attend. 
    
Why does the Christian Church, then we might ask, put such an emphasis on this day?
    
There are many reasons, I am sure.
    
Except, I am not sure today is the day to take care of the last gifts to be unwrapped, or to consume all the left-over baking.
    
There is more about this visit today, to Bethlehem.
    
Many theologians have made their suggestions of the meaning of each gift the Magi brought according to Matthew’s gospel, and with reference to some theological implications. 
    
If we read “between the lines” we discover the trip to Bethlehem was not about the gifts. 

But at the same time, remember: the Magi had been warned in a dream not to return via Jerusalem. They returned home another way.
    
Often, I find myself wondering what the conversation was like, on that day, when the Magi visited Mary and Joseph. 
    
If we were to put the first few months of Jesus’ life in perspective and chronological order, we would discover what the reason was for the flight to Egypt. The Holy Family all of a sudden became refugees in a foreign land. And, by all the information we have, they were welcomed. This says something about the refugees that we welcome to this country. 
    
Well, I suggest they departed because of the warning the Magi would have shared with them. 
    
Herod was furious over the possibility of losing his throne to a new mightier king coming upon the land. So, he sends out a decree to kill all the infant boys in the region. To this day, the Church remembers this decree with the Commemoration of the Feast of the Holy Innocents. 
    
Not a bright day in history.
    
Commemorating this historical event calls us to seek what the hidden meaning might have been for the Magi.
    
Is it about building community, and the supporting community that has been the driving force of the Church?

The Church brings together people of a variety of backgrounds to create an alternative gathering place for a common goal. 
    
Today is about, with the gift of the presence of the Magi, breaking down barriers that we inherit from our cultural and regional influences.
    
Today, and the Season of Epiphany, is about making changes. 
    
I am reminded of my Centenarian parishioner in our first parish. And I remember going to see Mrs. Wilson on this week for Communion, where I announced that we were going to use the Collect for Epiphany on that home communion, and before I could even talk about Epiphany, and what Epiphany may mean, she with great strong words, says “Do you know what Epiphany is about?”

Of course, the young, newly ordained priest lacking, you might say, a quick answer or before I could get an answer out, she looked at me and said, “Reverend, it is about change!”  
    
Four significant words: “It is about Change.” 

The teaching that this wonderful lady gave me in about 5 or 10 minutes is one that will hold with me the rest of my life! 
    
And so, thinking, she said to me also (and it’s a reminder that we must never, never be afraid of change! Wow! What profound words!) 

Thinking about it, the Birth of Jesus and the visit of the Magi brought about some of the most difficult times of  change in the world. Change in our society that was beyond, you might say, imaginable.
    
They are identified as a model for the rest of the world: a place to stand up against persecution; to provide safety and sanctuary; a place where (even) those who may have failed can be welcomed.

The other night, Flo and I watching one of Mike Holmes’
Episodes, (we)  witnessed the difference Mike and his family made in the life of a young man who suffered from autism or lived with autism. And how they shared their gift of knowledge in home construction, and how this young man became so familiar and so knowledgeable about what needs to be done when you are going to remodel your home.

Well, in some ways, Epiphany is about re-modelling our society.
    
The Church needs to continue in its mission of breaking down divisions, power, status and agendas. Then, we bring gifts to the world that are far more significant than gold, frankincense or myrrh. 
    
Then we, the Church, can give hope to a world often seen as a place without hope.
    
This is the place where lives are nurtured, lives which are threatened are healed. A place to stand up, where we find hate and division. 
    
Reading various accounts of the Church living out its missional witness, we are reminded today with two supporting Scripture readings that support the witness of the Magi’s visit, and its meaning.
    
First, there is Paul writing to the church in Ephesus, reminding them (and us today) that part of God’s plan is that all cultures may live together, and all are welcome. (In the day of Paul) this would have meant particularly Jews and Gentiles, called to be engaged in Christ’s life-saving activity.
    
This is often referenced as the “Mystery of Christ.” For Paul, this directive meant imprisonment, but thankfully, today it does not. 
    
And the prophets of old, in this case Isaiah today, calls us to look around, and understand, just how great a time we live in. 

We hear these profoundly affirming words for our daily lives:
•    Arise, shine, your day has come—your light has come.
•    In the midst of darkness, the prophet tells us, the Lord shall arise upon us, and we will be singing songs of great glory.
•    Lift up your eyes and look around. See the world.
•    And when we really look at that world, our shall be radiant with glory. 

We end our reading from Isaiah today with this wonderful expression of what it is to be rich and great in the world. (I love the metaphor for richness, being like a ‘multitude of camels covering you’.)

Think about how rich that is for us.

With the Magi, then, what changes? 

I believe the world finds a way to live together, and to welcome all.

Or that is what needs to happen.

It is to come to an understanding, which is not just some “throw-away comment” when we post out in front of the church: ‘All are Welcome’.

Sometimes I wonder: do we really mean that?

Then I think, “Yes! As I thought about it this week: We really do mean that!”

All are welcome. All people. Regardless of where they come from.

These are three words telling the world, just what difference the Church makes.

It is inclusive of all people.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Let Us Pray

Let us pray together to the Lord, saying, “Lord, hear our prayer.”

Loving God, we thank you for your many gifts to us,
for the love which brings us together; for the earth which provides for our needs; for the new life you have given us in Jesus Christ; for this community, here today gathered.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray to you for our Christian family, especially this parish of St. John the Baptist, and for grace to grow in your love.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray to you for our world, for all its cares and needs, and for all who lead us and care for us. Especially, we pray for the leaders of our federal and provincial and local governments.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray to you for those in need, for the sick and lonely, for the hurt and the frightened,
and for those who live without hope.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for those we love who have died, that you will surround them with your care and love.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for one another, asking  you to bless us, our friends and relatives. Bless the places where we work and bless our homes and our lives together.
Lord, hear our prayer.

Let us remember, then, before God, our selfish ways; the things we have done wrong; the sorrows we have caused; the love we have not shown. 

And so, may You forgive us and grant us peace on this day, as you taught us in the words of your prayer:

Our Father,
who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as in heaven. 
Give us today our daily bread. 
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us.
And lead us  not into temptation,
but deliver us fom evil.  
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power and the glory,
forever and ever.  Amen.

The Blessing: 
The peace of God,
which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and
love of God, and of his son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be with you, and remain with you, always. 
 Amen.

May the light of this day continue to guide us and 
Help us to recognize that Christ has come upon us.
Hallelujah!