The Epiphany of the Lord

Opening Prayer Father, You revealed your Son to the nations by the guidance of a star. Lead us to your glory in heaven by the light of faith.

Alleluia We saw his star as it rose and have come to do the Lord homage. Alleluia

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St Matthew Glory to You Lord The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

I wonder what the Gospel means to you ? How did you feel when you received gifts at Christmas ? How did you feel when people opened gifts from you at Christmas ? What is more important to you, giving or receiving gifts ? What ‘wise’ thing do you think the Wise Men did ?

We pray to the Lord, Lord, Please help us to follow your light like the Wise Men followed your Star. Help us to look for the way you want us to go with our decision making, our actions and our lives. Lord Hear our Prayer Help us to be thankful for all of the good things that we enjoyed during this Christmas period.

We pray to the Lord Lord, Help us to reject the actions of evil men like Herod. Bless and protect all of the service men and women involved in fighting against evil. Lord Hear our Prayer The Wise men gave you gifts. Help us to use the gifts you have given us to make You, and the people around us, happy.

Reflect What do you find inside a Christmas Cracker ? Which of those things remind you of the Wise Men ? What gift can you give to Jesus ? How can you make somebody smile today ?

Can a representative of each class please come forward to collect a symbol to remind us of the goodness inside us all.

Hymn Frankincense to offer have I; Incense owns a Deity nigh: Prayer and praising, all men raising, Worship him, God most high: Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom; Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in a stone-cold tomb: Glorious now, behold him arise, King, and God, and sacrifice! Alleluia, alleluia; Earth to the heavens We Three Kings We three kings of Orient are; Bearing gifts we traverse afar Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star: O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light. Born a king on Bethlehem plain, Gold I bring, to crown him again - King for ever, ceasing never, Over us all to reign:

The Epiphany of the Lord