Tag: Epiphany

Epiphany vision is often formed in waiting. Those who rush too quickly to conclusions rarely see clearly. Those who wait, who remain attentive, are the ones who begin to recognise God’s movement. Waiting sharpens our perception. It trains us to look for light in unlikely places.

At first glance, Matthew’s story of the Magi and Julia Donaldson’s The Gruffalo seem to belong to very different worlds. One is a sacred text, shaped by prophecy and pilgrimage; the other a children’s story, full of wit, danger, and imagination. Yet both stories invite us to think about power, fear, wisdom and how truth is recognised – or missed.

Our January 2026 Bible readings include the visit of the Magi, then the baptism of Jesus followed by John’s recognition of him as the Son of God. Finally, Jesus telling his disciples what would happen at the ‘renewal of all things.’

For his first miracle, Jesus doesn’t heal anyone, or do an exorcism or feed a hungry crowd. Instead, he picks up the tab and makes sure that everyone has enough wine!

Our Gospel readings include Christ being recognised by the Gentile Magi, being baptised and acknowledged by God as his Son, his first public miracle and his first sermon in his home town.

In our Gospel reading from John today, we have another question that could just as easily have been included: ‘What are you looking for?’

Perhaps we can imagine a huge star of wonder hanging over us right now, there for all to see and to respond to, guiding others to find Jesus.

In the words of our Bishop in the January issue of the CRUX magazine, I’d like to challenge us at this Epiphany-tide, and the start of a New Year, to take the story of the Magi as a metaphor for our own journey with God.