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.

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 

Sermon:  The Ven.  Brian Evans

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of
our hearts be ever acceptable to you, O Lord.  Amen.

“Signs”

One of the best-known scripture passages is John 3.16.

‘God so loved the world he gave his only begotten Son to the end that all who believe in Him should not perish but have eternal life.’

The “sign” in this quotation is “WORLD”. This scripture passage tells us something about God. Tells us God is not a god who excludes. God is an all-inclusive God.

God loved:

• Jews and Gentiles.

• He loved Mary and Joseph.

• He loved the shepherds, even if they were not on the advanced list of the hierarchy.

• He loved the Wise Men—or at least three of them we know about.

• He loved the world.

Encompassed in that ‘world’ are all those who, at times, ‘John-Q public’ tend to pass and toss to the side. Those who are not the included group; those who were less than those who were amongst the priviledged.

He loved also King Herod, who we learn about in the Nativity of our Lord.

So, why does God have so much love?

God has so much love because he wants salvation for the world. For our Christian theology, these words have great importance.   

How do we know this?

We know this because God has sent us some very significant signs. Some which are close and up front, and some less visible.

Assigning this title, “Signs,” I am reminded of the old adage of asking for directions, and the often-impossible ability to translate them.

I recall a group of modern-day interpreters of scripture painting-in the ceiling of a church, just how they were certain that this was the arrangement of the stars at the time of the birth of Christ.

-OR-         

It is like asking for directions, and you are told to turn left at the corner where the Evans’ barn is, or the Evans Corner, except the barn is no longer there—except you don’t know which barn to look for—except you did not grow up in that community, ‘Who were the Evans’?’         

Or, when we moved to the Island and asked about where to go for groceries. We were told, “No problem! Just go over to “Overwaitea.” Well guess what! Overwaitea was now ‘Save-On-Foods.’ We looked and looked.         

One exception I know of is an intersection north of Prince Albert, SK in which, at the corner there is a large barn with the symbol of a hand, followed by the word Son. With a small bit of imagination, you can figure out to turn at the barn. You knew it was ‘Hanson’s corner.’ 

Back to our signs for today.         

The first sign we are reminded of today is THE STAR. The star when Jesus was born; the star that announced the birth of God’s Son; the star that was placing significantly in the sky; a star for all time.

There were no fancy pictures then.  There was no appropriate coloured balloons; there was no mail-out announcements; there was no email; there was no Facebook. And so, God simply placed a star—a star though that was significant—a star which outshone all others in the sky.  As one Christmas Carol announces, ‘with a tail as long as kite.’ Over the generations, we have images of this same star in story books for all generations. The ‘tail point’ may not be long as a tail on a kite, yet it is significant.

This signing does not end at this point, though. 

This is followed by the ‘Wise Men’ being the sign for Herod, given by God, of this great news. Except for Herod, this was not so exciting. Herod was not so sure he would want to travel to Bethlehem to worship this new Savior (this KING) for the world. 

This star would lead the Wise Men to the point of the stable, directly below this star in the sky.

A second point (we often skip over) is, the star was not the only sign. The prophets in the Old Testament had also given signs to the Wise Men. They also had given signs that Herod was aware of.      

As previously stated, God loved the world so much with his desire to save all people. The Wise Men, Herod, and the priests all received signs. Even the shepherds, with the visit of the angels in the fields.         

Like today, if visiting a newborn, these travellers from the East, that’s all we know about them; but we know that they came bearing gifts. They wanted to worship him and bring him gifts.

And these gifts are significant to the sharing of the good news of Jesus Christ—gifts of gold, and frankincense and myrrh—gifts that have significance for our theology as Christians, but more importantly, for the life of Jesus.

Now Herod was a different story.

Herod could not see, or imagine, one positive note about the birth of Jesus. We know what he wanted to do with Jesus. Herod was extremely bothered by this birth, for he could only see this idea of an all-loving, forgiving God would wreak havoc on his kingdom. Herod, not unlike many to this day in the world, could not understand who Jesus is.         

Possibly for the world, there is a third group in this time and place who we often overlook, or at the very least pay little attention to—the priests and the scribes. They knew all the signs; they knew the prophecies; they knew what was to happen.            

Yet, did they did not go to worship Jesus. We are told they did not go because because they did not believe.          

The world has not changed to any great degree.          

Jesus tells us something about ‘not believing’ in his appearance to the disciples after the resurrection. In the encounter with Thomas and the disciples, we have this quote of their dialogue: John 20.26-30

‘A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’  

Then Jesus said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’  

Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’   

Jesus said to Thomas, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’

 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book.

In other words, John is saying to us, “This is all you really need to know. You don’t need a lot of other proof.”

God’s signs are all around us.  They are in nature; they are in the Star which led the Wise Men; they are in all people.

I often wish ‘confidentiality’ would allow me to share some of those great moments. Moments that we see signs; moments when we believe; and moments when we know we are saved, for that is why we have Epiphany.

As they say, when you ask for directions, just follow the signs, and then, turn at the second bend in the road.

In this time of Epiphany, all we must do is follow the signs.         

And so, we will pray with confidence, in the ‘Prayer after Communion’ today when we ask our Lord to guide us with his light, so that we too will recognize Christ when he comes to us. 

It is like John proclaiming, as we read on Wednesday this week, when Jesus was approaching:

“Look! Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

Thanks be to God. Amen. 

Let Us Pray

With wonder and thanksgiving for Christ’s coming into the world, we pray for the church, the life of the earth, and the whole human family.

Guide the whole church with your wisdom, revealing God. Nurture ecumenical and interreligious understanding around the globe, especially in places of ethnic and religious strife. We pray for PWRDF (Primate World Relief Disaster Fund). this month giving thanks for the ministry of Warmland, and other organizations that provide humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and health care.

God of grace,
hear our prayer.

Restore your glory to the earth, creating God. Protect fragile ecosystems: rain forests, coral reefs, wetlands, prairies, and shorelines. Guide us to treasure the rich variety of animals and plants that share the world with us, especially those that are endangered. 

God of grace,
hear our prayer.

Bring the nations into the way of justice and peace, righteous God. Strengthen those who work for human rights, equality, and the protection of the most vulnerable. We pray for all in public office, that they may serve with honesty and honour.  

God of grace,
hear our prayer.

Help those who have no helper, delivering God. Rescue any who suffer from abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Deliver adults and children who are caught in the cycle of poverty. Transform social systems that enable racism and discrimination of any kind.

God of grace,
hear our prayer.

Accompany the ministries of this congregation in the coming year, abiding God. Inspire those who lead worship, teach, visit, pray, administer, and serve. Keep us mindful of the needs of others in our communities and neighbourhoods. We continue to pray for the Jayasinghe Family, Wareenee and family in the loss of Jay; and those on our hearts.  

God of grace,
hear our prayer.

Pondering the mystery of eternal love made flesh in Christ Jesus, we commend all for whom we pray to the mercy of God.  Amen.

As our saviour taught us to pray, we say:

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,
the power and the glory,
forever and ever.  Amen.

The Blessing: 

And the Peace of God, 
which passes all understanding, 
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge
of the 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.