EPIPHANY January 5, 2025

A VERY BIG THANK YOU!

     To all those who volunteered their time and efforts to decorate the church for Christmas with flowers, the nativity scenes, trees and wreaths! The church was adorned beautifully to greet the Christ Child.

     To our wonderful musicians and choirs who worked hard to make our celebrations especially joyful.

     To those that prepare the Altar and vestments, Altar Servers, Lectors, Extra-Ordinary ministers & ushers.

     To all our ministries that work throughout the year in service to our community of faith.

     To our parishioners for their many acts of kindness and gifts of generosity during the Christmas season and throughout the year.

                  ~ Fr. Paul Dobson and Fr. Anish               

Some people refer to the Epiphany as a “Little Christmas”. Interestingly, however, it was for a long time a feast regarded as no less in rank than Christmas Day itself, and with an Octave of a higher rank even than that of Christmas.

     Nowadays, sadly, it seems to be passed over and forgotten. Maybe this is either because its real meaning is not understood, or because the world is tired of Christmas celebrations, and wants only to get back quickly to “normal” life.

     But what exactly is the Epiphany about? The Gospel of the Feast is the familiar account of the coming of the Magi to the infant Christ, and of their presentation of gifts to Him. Yet this is not the only event which is celebrated on this great day - the Eastern Church calls this feast the “Theophany”, the “Revelation of God”, which takes place in three stages: first to the Magi; secondly at Our Lord’s Baptism; thirdly, in Our Lord’s first miracle at Cana.

     These three events are quite far apart in time, of course, but they all speak of the presence of God revealed in Christ’s humanity.                                                                                 ~ Fr. Paul Dobson