Ever wondered why the Wise men aren’t mentioned on Christmas Day? Well there is a Day for that. It is called Epiphany and comes complete with readings for the day including the missing visit from the Magi. An event recorded in Matthew that happened a couple of years after Jesus’s birth.
Like all significant days it’s liturgical colour is White, though if you find that choice repressive many are now substituting GOLD.
In the Uniting Church in Australia, many churches will not have a dedicated service for this day, but that need not stop you from recognising the significant of the visit of the Magi, and it’s affects on, both culturly and in its influence on the toddler Jesus’s life.
If you had moved Mary and Jesus around your home as an Advent practice, you may have continued this practice with the magi or a donkey in the 12 days of Christmas.(or you can think about doing this next year)
If you are still at home or away on holiday, you can acknowldge this day with your family. (it also helps children and others understand how the Magi fit).
Make time to read the readings together, pray, do some of the activities, and just enjoy sharing God’s word together no matter where you find yourself today.
Another way you can prepare your home is to put up a string of star lights in a window.
WELCOME:
Everyone is welcome here.
SING: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY
If you are in Australia and attending a Uniting Church in Australia, in many cases an Acknowledgment of Country will be said. You can teach your young ones to do this too.
FIRST READING: Isaiah 60:1-6
READ: When God made Light by Matthew Paul Turner
MAKE: you will need a black and a white or silver sheet of A4 paper. Glue the perimeter of the black sheet over the white (or silver )sheet. Now tear a hole in the middle, of the black sheet to let the white/silver sheet through. (like a star shining in the night sky)
MEDITATE: Turn on a battery operated candle. Ask the child to sit quietly looking at the candle for (how ever long the child can sit still, for some children it will be 5 sec for others it might be 30sec.)
PSALM 72: 1-7, 10-14
MAKE a crown
SECOND READING: Ephesians 3:1-12
READ: The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones p.340 PAUL starting from the sentence “Paul got a new job” until the “stars in the sky”.
PRAY: Like Paul did, not for individuals but for everyone to know God.
eg. Dear God,
May everyone know how good you are
Amen
GOSPEL READING: Matthew 2:1-12
READ: The Three Wise Camels by Andrew Donough
OR for a more traditional approach
READ: The Children of God Storybook Bible by Desmond Tutu, The Three Wise Men
COLOURING IN: Download the free colouring in sheet OR you could purchase the Activity book which will keep the whole family occupied for hours
MAKE If this is printed on thicker papare 200gsm you do not need the Toilet paper rolls(which you can not use for health reasons in Australia)
OR MAKE a3D star
SING The Magi, No.11 on The King of Christmas by Colin Buchanan
You can find a short homily here
FINAL SONG: Star in God’s Eyes by Snack Music
Blessings
Wendy L.
Please check local guidlines before using items that are not mine especially if you are using this page for congregational use. Please acknowedge this page if you find it useful. Thank you.
I am writing this on Wurundjeri land and wish to pay respect to all Elders, past, present and emerging.
The Cross in My Backyard 