“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”
--Matthew 2:2, NLT
Tomorrow is Epiphany in the church calendar, when the church traditionally remembers the arrival of the wise men to worship Jesus. In that tradition I offer this prayer inspired by their worship.
Almighty God who took on infant flesh,
you were worshipped by shepherds and wise men,
people who searched for you with passion,
all to worship Jesus.
Give us the attentiveness of the wise men,
who noticed the oddity in the sky,
and followed it,
all to worship Jesus.
Give us the perseverance of the wise men,
who travelled from a far off land,
through deserts and dangers,
all to worship Jesus.
Give us the generosity of the wise men,
who brought costly gifts,
fit for a dying king,
all to worship Jesus.
Give us the joy of the wise men,
who rejoiced when they arrived in Bethlehem,
finally reaching their goal,
all to worship Jesus.
May we worship you,
with attentiveness,
with perseverance,
with generosity,
and with joy.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
Personal photo (of a nativity scene I made), January 2014.
