From Our Pastor: The Epiphany of the Lord
Blessed Epiphany to you all! Merry Christmas! We are just finishing the 12 days of Christmas and are still in the Season of Christmas! In this weekend’s readings we talk about Jerusalem as the light to the nations and Christ as the light of the world witnessed by the Magi. The three kings come to see the prophecy fulfilled in Jesus Christ as the new Jerusalem that is a light for the whole world in the person of Jesus Christ. The wise men bring the good news of Jesus’ birth to the whole world. This is truly amazing news as they are witnesses to the fact that Jesus came not just for the Israelites, but for all people and all nations to make them His own. Once you encounter Jesus, all in your life is different, and nothing can be the same! How truly amazing is the encounter of the Magi, and each one of us, with the little baby Jesus, who is our salvation.
Don’t forget to take a sheet home, and a new piece of chalk to bless your homes. Don’t forget to see the opportunity to consecrate your homes and families and lives to the Lord as we begin this new year! I wish you all a Happy New Year and many blessings to each of you and our parish. We have so much to be thankful for here at St. Francis, may God continue to bless and watch over each and every one of you this coming year! I am so grateful for you, and so excited for the opportunities ahead of us this year to continue our growth and our encounter with the living God in this wonderful parish community, so that we may be witnesses to the whole community around us to who Jesus truly is as King and God and Sacrifice. So excited for what is ahead for our parish!
Blessed Epiphany to you all! Merry Christmas to you all! Blessings and Happy New Year!
- Rev. Steven Arisman