1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”.

Gracious God, as the first full week of the new year draws to a close, we reflect upon its highs and its lows, its challenges and its achievements. We have witnessed covid cases rise, civil unrest overseas, amidst vaccines given, new treatments discovered and great acts of kindness in the community. There may have been times when we have felt very alone and other times when someone has reached into our solitude. There may have been times when we have felt anxious and times when we have felt reassured. But amidst all the emotions and events of the week Lord, we know that You have been present with us, at all times and in all places. We have witnessed Your love in the world in the compassion shown to others in their hour of need. We have witnessed the beauty of Your creation as the sun has shone through to shine upon the ice and snow, a symbol of warmth amidst the cold. We may have put the Christmas lights away this week Lord, but the message of Your Son Jesus, the baby who brought hope into our world through His death and resurrection remains ever present. Through His life we are given the hope that continues to affirm Your everlasting love for us, whatever the tribulations and challenges of daily living. And so, we take a moment once more to pause and give thanks for the gift of Jesus. May He be a living presence in our lives and may our hearts be filled with the hope and peace that He gifted to us, as we continue to walk with Him, this day and in the days to come, Amen.

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

Gracious God, today we lift before You all those working tirelessly to care for others within our NHS, remembering especially those dealing on the frontline with Covid 19 patients. We acknowledge their exhaustion, their concerns and the challenges they face on a daily basis. We give thanks and acknowledge their skills, their self-giving and the compassion they carry with them each day into the workplace. God of healing, we ask that Your presence be felt with all those in need of energy and assurance this day. May the power of Your love infiltrate every corner of our hospitals today.
So too, we pray for all patients in our hospitals and lift them into Your loving care. May they feel the assurance of Your healing power and Your presence with them. And finally Lord God, we pray for the families of loved ones, unable to visit, waiting anxiously at home for news. Give them courage and strength Lord, as You sit alongside them in their waiting. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

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

Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia, Earth to heav’n replies

(John Henry Hopkins Jr 1857)

Matthew 2: 10-12
“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.”

Gracious God, as we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany and remember the precious gifts brought by the Magi; gold, frankincense and myrrh, gifts fit for a King, we reflect upon the majesty of Jesus, our Saviour King. Through the gift of Your son Jesus Christ, through His living, His teaching, His words and His acts of love, you have assured us of a world where peace and hope may become a present reality for all people, where love can bring light into our lives. And so, as we put away our Christmas lights on this most difficult of Januarys, help us to remember that the light of Your Son, Jesus, continues to shine, and that His light and the gift of His love cannot be extinguished. On this 12th night of Christmas, as we gaze upon the star that shone over the place where Jesus was born, may we feel the assurance of Your presence with us this day. May we feel the assurance of Your light shining brightly to guide us and to shine light into the dark places of our world. Lord God, this Epiphany may you reveal to us Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. Amen.

Romans 8:38-39
‘For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come… will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.’

Gracious God of heaven and earth, as we enter a further period of lockdown we pray for ourselves and our communities today. We remember especially those whose isolation is compounded by the restrictions, those who are vulnerable and must return to shielding in their homes. We remember too our children who will return to home educating, and staff who will be working hard to resource this provision. Lord, in these times of separation from loved ones, friends, work colleagues and neighbours, we remember the promise You have given us that there is nothing in all of creation, not even Covid 19, that can separate us from Your love. You offer us a love that never fails. And so, in our time of vulnerability, please help us to trust in Your promise, to be assured of Your presence and please help us to continue to reach out and care for one another. This day, may the Lord bless us and keep us. May the Lord make His face to shine upon us, and be gracious to us. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon us and give us His peace. Amen.