On Epiphany day,
     we are still the people walking.
     We are still people in the dark,
          and the darkness looms large around us,
          beset as we are by fear,
                                        anxiety,
                                        brutality,
                                        violence,
                                        loss —
          a dozen alienations that we cannot manage.

We are — we could be — people of your light.
     So we pray for the light of your glorious presence
          as we wait for your appearing;
     we pray for the light of your wondrous grace
          as we exhaust our coping capacity;
     we pray for your gift of newness that
          will override our weariness;
     we pray that we may see and know and hear and trust
          in your good rule.

That we may have energy, courage, and freedom to enact
         your rule through the demands of this day.
         We submit our day to you and to your rule, 

                                  with deep joy and high hope.

 

Walter Brueggemann, 1933 – 2025,  American Protestant Old Testament theologian
Prayers for a Privileged People

 

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After this interview the wise men went their way. 

And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. 

It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 

When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 

They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, 

    and they bowed down and worshiped him. 

Then they opened their treasure chests 

    and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.