Epiphany IV/ Presentation of Christ- Luke 2:22-40

Several different names can be applied to this coming Sunday. It is the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, but this year, Epiphany IV falls on 2 February. So the day is also the Feast commemorating the Presentation of Christ in the Temple on the fortieth day after His Birth. Another name is the Purification of Saint Mary the Virgin because she also underwent certain rites at this time. In the Middle Ages, the day also became known as Candlemas because of the custom of blessing ecclesiastical candles on this date.

Luke 2:22-40 reminds us that the Holy Family chose to fulfill all righteousness; they followed the Law perfectly. In doing so, they pointed to the general human need for both purification and redemption. In the words of the Prayer Book Collect for the Day, the divine "Son was this day presented in the temple in substance of our flesh, so we may be presented unto [God] with pure and clean hearts ... by Jesus Christ our Lord." Through Christ, may we all be purified and presented to God on a daily basis!

Anniversary of the Denver Consecrations of Continuing Anglicanism- 28 January

 Today is the 47th anniversary of the Consecrations of Bishops on January 28, 1978 in Denver, Colorado for the Continuing Church, the original Anglican Church in North America. These episcopal consecrations took place to continue historic and apostolic Anglican ministerial forms in North America after the Anglican Church of Canada and the Episcopal Church in the USA deserted traditional forms in 1975-1976. Since that date, the continuing movement has produced several jurisdictions in North America and around the world. Despite numerous growing pains over the years, continuing Anglicanism continues to witness to the Scriptural and creedal truths of traditional catholic Christianity and to provide pastoral care for many souls.

Epiphany III- John 2:1-11

 The Gospel for the Third Sunday after Epiphany(in the 1928 BCP) is the account of the miracle of the water turned into wine  (John 2:1-11). This story has several associations. One point is that Christ graced the wedding with His presence and blessing, and there are times when we do well to focus on that connection. However, the central point of the story in John's Gospel, especially at this time in the church year, lies elsewhere.

The key issue is Christ's action and His disciples' response to Him. The miracle is a sign of who Jesus is. He is God's anointed, and He is Lord over creation. He transforms the purification waters of the Mosaic covenant into the best wine of the new covenant. He manifests His glory, "and His disciples believed in Him" (John 2:11). 

Although the disciples are slow to grow in faith, here they make an appropriate response. They see that God is working through Jesus in a unique way. The disciples respond in faith to this epiphany or manifestation of divine glory. May we also respond to such signs by faith in Christ!

Prayers for Life

 On or around January 22, many US Christians offer prayers focused on the sanctity of life. We remember the sins against the unborn and the waste of human life. We pray for limitations on the taking of innocent life, and we pray for all the victims: innocent babes, distraught mothers-to-be, confused fathers-to-be, and societies with materialistic and selfish values.

Almighty God, by whose Providence new life is conceived, look with mercy upon all those who are with child and upon the babes within their wombs. Strengthen them during the months of waiting and growth, and bring them in safety through the time of birth. And grant that each child may increase in wisdom and stature, and grow in thy love and service until he or she comes to thy eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Epiphany II- Mark 1:1-11

Usually, the 1928 Book of Common Prayer uses the same sequence of propers as the 1662  BCP.  However, the medieval English Sarum liturgy which influenced Prayer Books omitted Christ's Baptism. In recognition of the ancient tradition connecting Christ's Baptism with Epiphany, the 1928 revisers placed a Gospel about the Baptism of our Lord (St. Mark 1:1-11) on this Sunday in the Epiphany season. This means that the sequence of readings for the Second through the Fourth Sundays after Epiphany are in a different order in the 1928 BCP. (The Sarum/1662 Gospel from Matthew 8:23 ff is omitted in the 1928 communion cycle although it and the synoptic parallels are read three times as daily office lessons.)

It is certainly appropriate that we should reflect upon our Lord's Baptism during Epiphany. Although Jesus of Nazareth did not need to be cleansed from any sin, He underwent this ritual of cleansing to give His followers an example and to dedicate Himself publicly to His mission. And as He did so, the Holy Spirit blessed Christ and His ministry while the heavenly Father proclaimed His approval of His only Son. 

Christ's Baptism is unique because Jesus Christ is unique. Yet, His Baptism does prefigure later Christian Baptism. Jesus provided a model for His followers. Every Christian Baptism is a uniting with Christ the only begotten Son, a blessing by the Holy Spirit, and an adoption as a child of God the Father.

Epiphany I- Luke 2: 41-52

 On the First Sunday after Epiphany, traditional Books of Common Prayer from 1549 through 1928 focus on the visit of the twelve-year-old Jesus to the Temple. The epiphany or manifestation of the youthful Jesus in St. Luke 2:41-52 shows forth both His true humanity and His divine Sonship. In this contexr.  Luke 2:52 concludes, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."

As a youth and throughout His life on earth, our Lord Jesus Christ embodied both unique and ordinary characteristics. He had a unique relationship with God the heavenly Father, but He knew that He was called to live as a real (and ideal) human being. As Luke indicates, Jesus experienced normal but perfected human growth and development. 

This mystery of the Incarnation calls for our faithful response. As Christians, we affirm the manifestation of God in Christ. The eternal Word has become flesh and lived among us as true man. While we are far from His perfection, we are called to follow Him. We seek divine grace to follow Him and grow in wisdom and holiness. 

Epiphany- 6 January- Matthew 2

This day, 6 January, marks the traditional Feast of Epiphany. This celebration is the third oldest Christian observance after the three days from Good Frida to Easter and Pentecost.  The word Epiphany means "manifestation," and the feast and its season remind us of the various ways that God manifested Himself in Jesus Christ. In the Eastern Churches, where the feast originated in the third century, the emphasis has centered on the manifestation at the time of Christ's Baptism. Since the fourth century in the Western Churches, including the Anglican tradition, the emphasis has been on the manifestation of the Christ Child to the Magi or Wise Men.  

The Magi were Gentiles (non-Jews), and so this day and the following season are associated with the Christian mission to all the nations. God called the eastern Wise Men to come and adore the Messiah, the Savior of the world. Likewise, God calls each of us, regardless of our nation, ethnic group, language, etc., to come, worship, and follow Christ the newborn King. As Christmastide closes, let us continue to focus on the manifestation of the Incarnate Word in Jesus Christ. The light of God has shone in the Christ Child. We still seek His light, and we hope that His light will shine in our lives on those around us.

Christmas II

 The Second Sunday after Christmas does not occur every year, and some years such as this year, Christmas II is the Eve of Epiphany. So this Sunday has not developed a clear liturgical identity. Medieval service books and the 1549 Book of Common Prayer did not have any propers for the day. The 1662 Book of Common Prayer simply directed the continued use of the propers from the Circumcision of Christ. The 1928 American BCP, like some others of that decade, provided a collect and lessons. This lovely collect is from a medieval Christmas liturgy, and the lessons are from older services for the Eve of Epiphany. The Gospel from Matthew 2 looks to the return of the Holy Family to Nazareth. In any case, on this day, we continue to celebrate the Birth of our Lord and look forward to His manifestation to the Gentiles.

The Collect for Christmas II:

ALMIGHTY God, who hast poured upon us the new light of thine incarnate Word; Grant that the same light enkindled in our hearts may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

January 1- Octave of the Nativity- Luke 2:21

 Over the centuries, Christians have been uncomfortable with the celebrations of the new year on the first of January.  In order to avoid pagan associations, January 1 was not observed as New Year's Day in many parts of Europe between the fall of Rome and early modern times. On church calendars, this date has been associated with several liturgical observances over time. When Christ's Birth started being commemorated on 25 December, this eighth day of Christmas marked the end of Christmas week. There seems to have been an ancient Roman custom of emphasizing the role of Mary on this day, and in other parts of the Church, the Circumcision and Naming of Jesus were commemorated on this day. Since the 1970s, most Christians have focused on the Holy Name of Jesus. These associations are related to Luke 2:21 where we read. "And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb."

Whatever Christian tradition we emphasize, the primary importance of the first of January is not some neo-pagan indulgence; it is a day to continue thinking about the Incarnation of the eternal divine Word as Mary's Son Jesus. This child born in Bethlehem is the Lord Himself, come to save His people. God's plan for human salvation is what gives this day and every day their true significance. So let us begin the New Year by praising God and giving thanks for the salvation that has come in the Christ Child!