Musical Reflection
Travelin’ On by Norah Jones
Invocation
be dismayed by your friendship
and dethroned by your love;
First Reading
by George Seferis
translated by Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard
golden; the stars of the Swan and that other star, Aldebaran.
like the memory of your voice saying ‘happiness’.
living trees and your eyes riveted.
the road has no relief; I’ve kept a rein on my life.
Second Reading
The Star
by Ann Taylor
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.
If you did not twinkle so.
Till the sun is in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.

Matthew 2:1-12
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during the rule of King Herod, magi came from the east to Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the newborn ruler of the Jewish people? We’ve seen the star in the east, and we’ve come to honour the child.”
When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, and everyone in Jerusalem was troubled with him. He gathered all the chief priests and the legal experts and asked them where the Christ was to be born. They said, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is what the prophet wrote:
You, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
by no means are you least among the rulers of Judah,
because from you will come one who governs,
who will shepherd my people Israel.”
Then Herod secretly called for the magi and found out from them the time when the star had first appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you’ve found them, report to me so that I too may go and honour them.” When they heard the king, they went; and look, the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him. Then they opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Because they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route.
Musical Reflection
Star Witness by Neko Case

adapted
Dear God,
Be good to us today.
The sea is so wide
and our boats are so small.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
O Silent Sound,
whose shimmering music pulsates
at the heart of each and all,
Clear a space in us where thy melody
may be perceived in its purity.
Let the rhythm of thy counsel reverberate through our lives,
so that we move to the beat of justice, love, and peace.
Then, our whole being at one with thy song,
grant that the earth may be filled
with the beauty of thy voice.
Endow us with the wisdom to produce and share
what each being needs to grow and flourish,
And give us courage to embrace our shadow with emptiness,
as we embrace others in their darkness.
But let us not be captive to uncertainty,
nor cling to fruitless pursuits.
For from thee springs forth
the rhythm, the melody, and the harmony,
which restores all to balance, again and again. Ameyn.
Musical Reflection
Stars and Sons by Broken Social Scene
Blessing
Blessing and laughter and loving be ours,
the love of a great God
who names us
and holds us
while the earth turns and flowers grow
this day
this night
this moment
and forever.
May the blessing of God – the Giver, the Gift, and the Giving,
be with us and remain with us always. Amen.
Sources:
Invocation from Prayers for an Inclusive Church by Steven Shakespeare
Musical Reflection Travelin’ On by Norah Jones
Poem Epiphany 1937 by George Seferis
Musical Reflection Star Witness by Neko Case
Aramaic Lord’s Prayer by Mark Hathaway