January Message

IF HAPPY FEET HASTE ON (5, 2, 3, 8 … Anagram)

Those of you who are keen on cryptic crosswords will no doubt quickly solve the above anagram. The answer is, of course …

FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY

This is the 12th Day of Christmas (6th January) when traditionally we think about the visit of the wise men who were guided by a star to visit the infant Jesus. Some of our Christmas cards might show Wise Men bringing their gifts to the baby Jesus lying in a manger but actually it is more likely that the infant Jesus was about two years old by the time the Wise Men visited him.

Our dictionary will tell us that an “epiphany” is a moment when someone has a sudden realization or understanding of something, often leading to a new perspective on a situation. The Wise Men realised that the birth of Jesus was a significant event in history and travelled a great distance to meet him. So their visit marks a time when Jesus is revealed to a wider audience and perhaps each of us need to have our own “epiphany” moment when we come to realise for ourselves the significance of the birth of Jesus.

As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold,

As with joy they hailed its light, leading onward beaming bright;

So, most gracious Lord, may we evermore be led to thee.

Brian Turner … Churchwarden St Mary’s Knockin.

Words from the hymn “As with gladness men of old” were written by:

William Chatterton Dix (1837-1898)