The Revised Common Lectionary passages for the Lord’s Day are:

First Reading: Jeremiah 31:7-14
Psalm 147:12-20
Second Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14
Gospel Reading: John 1:(1-9) 10-18

Or The passages for the Feast of the Epiphany

First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
Second Reading: Ephesians 3:1-12
Gospel Reading Matthew 2:1-12

The liturgical color for the day is: White

It is likely that preachers will opt to use the text for the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6) on the Second Sunday after Christmas.  Epiphany, 12 days after the Nativity, is the focus of Matthew’s account of the Christmas narrative.

In Matthew 2:11 it says: “On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage.”

 “…they knelt down and paid him homage.” They worshiped him. They were powerful. They were the ones in command. They were the ones with the gifts. They were rich and famous. “…they knelt down and paid him homage.”

Pack away all the Christmas decorations. It is bigger than just the season. It is what it is all about Charlie Brown—all as in capital A, capital L, another capital L. It is ALL about that this God-With-Us; that is what matters.

And when, with the Wise Ones of Old, we get that—well then, we have it all. We get what this world, this life, and this new year is to all be about.

So just when it seems a little dark. Or just when in this new year it is numb or not going how you planned—know that that is not what it is all about. Know that it is ALL about “…they knelt down and paid him homage.”

“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let is shine.”

—

Rev. Dr. Daris Bultena
Chief Imagination Officer
General Presbyter and Stated Clerk