This week we hear the ‘adults only’ version of the Christmas story from the Gospel of Matthew with its layers of fear, deception and violence, mixed with glimpses of great joy and hope. This Sunday (6 January) marks the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of the season we call Epiphany – which means to reveal or make known. So over the next few weeks we will be exploring what is revealed about Jesus and what our response might be.
This Sunday also marks the last service in the current arrangement of the worship space. So we will be taking some time to both look backwards and give thanks for the past, as well as looking forwards to God’s promise of doing new things in our midst in the future. As we reflect on Matthew’s alternative Christmas story, may we be encouraged by God’s grace and faithfulness.