Epiphany 1A

When the Road Seems Closed, a prayer — David Long-Higgins, USA

Loving God, Grant me a vision Greater than any barricade Daring me to despair At signs screaming out ‘No possible way forward, This road is closed.’ Yes, lift up my eyes To Your emerging light Stretching a horizon of hope Bearing Your resurrection rising Larger than any obstruction Of the world’s weary making Or of […]

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Reflection & confession of the Magi — Jim Burklo, USA

Reflection of the Magi A Christmas & Epiphany Poem What wisdom I have Awakens me to my blindness. I cannot see light itself What I know of light Is only an alluring shadow Of what it is and does. From billions of years away in space-time, Through darkness intervening, At its inconceivable speed The light […]

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Bend me toward Bethlehem — David Long-Higgins

O Love, Like wise ones of old Bend me toward Bethlehem And every place of birth Where You saturate earth And world with joy Surprising sleepy shepherds Of one kind or another. Wake me from slumbers Of every sort Daring to distract me From Your grand gift Poured again and again Through heavens torn Revealing […]

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A letter to Melchior — Duncan Wilson, UK

Post-Christmas correspondence from a shepherd to a traveler from the East Dear Melchior, Greetings from all of us. We trust you made the journey home safely and didn’t run into any of Herod’s lot because terrible things happened after you left! When you and your friends didn’t report back to him after your visit to […]

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Sing in the New Year with children

Tune: Ba Ba Black Sheep When a New Year comes our way, When we work and when we play, When we fail or succeed, God will meet us in our need. God is love; we know that’s true; God loves me and God loves you. Adapted from a children’s song by George Stuart, Australia  

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Plough (Plow) Sunday – blessing the land

Plough Sunday is held annually the Sunday before ploughing commences. In English tradition, taking into account the warmer clime and Northern Hemisphere location, Plough (Plow) Sunday is held on the Sunday after Epiphany, the Sunday between 7-13 January. Farmers arrive in farm carts and tractors, carrying a ploughshare (a section of the plough’s blade) which […]

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Epiphany sending out and blessing — Cary Heafey, UK

Originally written for Epiphany Sunday, Year C. Let us look for Christ wherever we go Let us never stop seeking Believing that there is a light that shines in the darkness Which the darkness shall not overcome   And may the love of the Creator The joy of the Spirit And the peace of the […]

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