Last Sunday on 7th Jan’ 2024, most Churches observed the feast of Epiphany. It is principally remembering the visit of the Magi (also known as the Three Wise Men or the Three Kings) to the Christ Child, and also the baptism of Jesus.
Popular Epiphany customs include singing, chalking the door – having one's house blessed, consuming Three Kings Cake, and removing Christmas decorations.
During the Epiphany Service at St Andrew’s Church, the Vicar Revd Luke Larner spoke of his visit to a friend’s Church where he kept a wild-looking visitor in waiting, least realising that the man was not only an invited guest speaker that evening but also a highly respected charity leader. He stated that appearances might be misleading. The whole point of epiphany is to have moments of enlightening discovery and realisation, but our preconceived notions about God and people can frequently keep us from experiencing these moments.
He further reminded of the Roman King Herod in the Christmas story, who brutally killed innocent children to preserve his power and regime, and this year Luke said, the cry of Ramallah (a Palestinian city) takes on a whole new meaning given the terrible loss of life in the Holy Land in the name of power and land.
He concluded the service with a blessing of chalk for people to take home and bless their own homes by marking their doorway. People write the first letters of the names of the biblical Magi, or they write 'May Christ bless this house'.
After the Church service, all were invited to celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of Christ with a blessing of the River Lea at Wardown Park. “It is a chance to give thanks for our river, water and local environment, and renew our commitment to safeguarding all creation,” stated Revd Luke.
Water is a primal element of creation. Without water, there is no life. So he blessed the River Lea, Wardown Lakes, and other local waters, and the seas of the world. He prayed for all to have free access to the clean drinking water. He also prayed for all the living things in these waters and for the Environment Agency and Luton Parks Services, and for all the volunteers and charities, who help to maintain it all.
After the Epiphany Service at St Andrew’s Church Luton, the Vicar Revd Luke Larner celebrated the Feast of Jesus’ Baptism by blessing the River Lea and praying for Wardown Lakes, and other local waters, and the seas of the world.