The Season of the Epiphany, is a season of presentation of Jesus to the world to Magi and Shepherds, representing Gentiles and faithful Jews and in the temple where Jesus is presented as the first born son, with two doves- the offering of the poor.

Jesus was born into a time in Jewish history where they were under occupation, he was born into a failed society, a disobedient society a society who had returned from exile, had been set free from oppression but fallen straight back into it. So often when I read the scriptures, I wonder how it could have been written thousands of years ago, when it describes today!
And people are expecting a saviour to come and give them freedom: someone to unite them against their enemies liberate them from the of oppression of society, poverty, stigma, traditional belief and custom, ignorance and sense of hopelessness.

The Shepherd’s hear the Angles sing and respond’ let us go to Bethlehem (Ephrata) (Hb-place of fertility, which could be said place of bread in the original poetic language). ‘can anything good come from there? They asked.
Herod and the leaders of Israel heard of his birth. But only the Magi and the Shepherds went to the stable,and found the Christ Child and worshipped him.

And you? You’ve heard the Christmas Angels, the glad tidings bring, but are you seeking the King? Too many people are saying ‘what good can come from Ephrata’ (the church, where His chooses to reveal himself to the world)?

The world is in a bit of a mess, our social cohesion is at an all time low and with an election year upon us, there is going to be a lot of noise and posturing and rhetoric. But you? Where will you be seeking meaning and hope and life?
Do not serve the foreign god’s of consumerism, political ideologies, individualism and post modern philosophy. Choose life and serve God, the Father ,Son and Holy Spirit. Seek His Face seek His favour:
He comes to declare the year of the Lord’s favour.
This year let us ‘walk with Jesus” let us go and discover what this means.
2019 lies ahead of us with a great deal of spiritual journey to “walk with Jesus.”
Trips to Egypt, Galilee,Samaria,and Jerusalem are all included on the itinerary. But it has to begin, in a stable and a babe wrapped in a manger, it has to begin with humility, it has to begin with trust, it has to begin with listen to God’s call! “Come and see.”
When Jesus met sick people he offered said “what is it that you want me to do for you?”
He asks that of you today!
What is your heart’s desire for 2019. Let us be honest with God about it! Let us continually place our hearts desires before God and allow the Holy Spirit to transform us!
Be assured of my prayers as we sojourn with and in Christ through out the year

Amen.

Fr. Andrew Manning