Join the Wise Men in Searching for the Baby Jesus

• Posted on December 28, 2016
• by Nancy
• in Latest News, Outreach, Spire link
• Comments Off on Join the Wise Men in Searching for the Baby Jesus

Epiphany Celebration
Friday, January 6, 6:00 PM, Tucker Room

Most people know that the reason we exchange gifts on Christmas is to mirror the gifts that the Wise Men brought to the Christ Child. What you might not know is that those gifts were given, not on Christmas Day, but on Epiphany. Epiphany is January 6th—the 12th day after Christmas. That’s right—the 12th day—12 drummers drumming. This year Epiphany falls on a Friday, which is a perfect night to celebrate it. This is how it goes: we begin in the Tucker Room with a potluck dinner—around 6:00. There’s a special dessert with a secret about it. After dinner, three Wise Men (or women, boys or girls) lead the group through the darkened church building—guided by a few battery-powered candles—to locate the star over the baby in the manger. When we find the baby we, like the Wise Men before us, will worship him.

Also like the Wise Men we will lay gifts before the Christ Child. Like the baby Jesus, many children in Massachusetts have to improvise to find a place to lay down their sweet heads. The Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless is trying to change that with their A Bed for Every Child project. We urge everyone to bring their gift in the form of money to support that program, thus responding to Christ’s birth with generosity and ensuring that every child has a place to dream.

We will sing a few songs and hear a story or two. Then, also like the Wise Men, we will continue our journey home—carrying with us a special instruction and a special blessing. This is a great family event—kids love the search for the baby through the dark church. It’s a great way to continue Christmas beyond the presents and the tree. The whole celebration should be finished by 8:00 PM.