The Twelfth Night of Christmas • Epiphany

This report covers the Twelfth Night of Christmas and Epiphany. This has been a jam packed two weeks, starting with Christmas Eve two weeks ago.

The Twelfth Night of Christmas

We celebrated the Twelfth Night of Christmas, the night before the Twelfth Day (Epiphany) at the Vicarage, Victoria House, with 14 people present. A tradition at our parish and others, we gathered for Evening Prayer, then burned our Christmas greenery, in this case a representative sample not wishing a repeat of the Cedar Fire.

The Twelfth Night officially ends the Christmas Season and we move in to Epiphany. Many people take down all their Christmas decorations at this time, others leave up the Wise Men.

Normally we have the ceremonial greenery burning in the breezeway, then go inside for some wonderful desserts. This time it was raining cats and dogs, so the entire ceremony was held inside. The fireplace seemed for festive than the previous outside burns, so perhaps this will be the new standard.

As it is not customary to have a sermon at evening prayer, there was not one. But, not being one to miss the opportunity to provide education and motivation, Father Acker did talk a bit after the service and before the snacks. He pointed out that in days gone by it was customary to take down the Christmas decorations, in particular the greenery on the 12th day of Christmas. This was important as it had dried out considerably and was a great fire hazard. All of the now surplus greenery would be taken to a central place, such as a fair ground or the like, and piled up to burn. Once the sun had set, the fire would be lit. As the fire started, one could feel the heat and light from the Christmas greenery. Soon there was no place where the fire’s warmth could not be felt or where its light did not illuminate.

How can one miss the similarity to Christ. Here on earth, he brings joy and light to our hearts. No place is too dark for his light to light. His light will penetrate the deepest darkest part of your soul if you will not actively keep him out.

Now the snacks! Alice Acker made two of her now famous trifles, one regular and one sugar free. Both outstanding! Father Acker opened his excellent sherry collection for us, as well as provided first class coffee, decaf and recaf. The kids loved the hot chocolate.

Greg found Father Acker’s store of Newcastle Brown Ale, which both your Beadle and Under Beadle loveth, and the three were very happy.

On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Twelve Drummers Drumming


A coincidence, or are there twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed?
1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. 3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. 4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave]. 5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 7) I believe in the Holy Spirit, 8) the holy catholic Church, 9) the communion of saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting.

Epiphany

Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th commemorates the visit of the Magi, the Wise Men (traditionally named Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar) from the East, to the Christ Child. This feast is also known as the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. Epiphany is the manifestation of God's Glory in human form, the revelation to the Gentiles of His redemptive power. It is the Gentiles in the form of the three Magi (sorcerers practicing the ancient occult practices) and the ceremonially unclean shepherds to whom this is revealed first, along with the Holy family. The term epiphany means "to show" or "to make known" or "to reveal." It recalls the coming of the wise men bringing gifts to visit the Christ child, who by so doing "reveal" Jesus to the world as Lord and King. Syrian children receive gifts at Epiphany from the smallest camel of the Wise Men. Legend has it that when the Wise Men traveled to Bethlehem, it was the smallest camel who refused to give up the long journey and was most eager to see the Christ Child. The story emphasizes how the faith of the smallest and most vulnerable can, at times, be greater than most.

In addition to being Epiphany, today was the first Sunday of the new calendar year. A day to demonstrate the strength of ones New Years Resolution to all the world, as well as one’s self.

The number of Sundays in Epiphany depends on the date of Easter. There can be between one and six Sundays before Septuagesima Sunday. White is the liturgical color for the day and green for the rest of the season.

Christmas comes just after the Winter Solstice, as a consequence from this day forward days become longer, nights shorter. Although there is cold ahead, we look towards the warmth of summer. The last two Sundays were cold Santa Anas. Not today! Today we had rain. Real rain. At the time of the service the weekend had already brought three inches of rain. At Mount Olympus the morning temperature was 48°F with a total of 8.75 inches of rain, which is a tenth of an inch more than all of last year and the rainy season has not even started! Your Beadle expected the miserable weather would keep people home, but it did not. Perhaps it was the promise of music from Father Acker’s Free Teen Guitar Class, perhaps not, but in any event by the time the service started, we had 24 attendees.

Today was the first Sunday of the month and the day for Father Acker’s Free Teen Guitar Class to play (www.freeteenguitarclass.com). Perhaps it was the weather or the secular holiday, but at least Jack and Father made it.

Father Acker’s Pre-Service Class - Where is he who has been born King of the Jews?
The question above comes from the mouths of the Magi in the Gospel according to Saint Matthew. The Magi came from the east following a “star” and are often referred to as oriental. They were Zoroastrian advisors and astrologers to royalty, divining from the heavens to find earthly meaning. What could it have been they were following? Perhaps a God sent manifestation, perhaps a temporary bright spot in the sky. God seldom violates His own laws of physics and often uses the natural in special ways.

For more than a millennium and a half, people speculated on the source of the star in the East. Why it is called the star in the East is not clear as if people from the East were to follow it to a location in the West, clearly it is the star in the West.

The first person to discover a natural event of sufficient magnitude to approximate the star wasGerman astronomer Johannes Kepler who first proposed in 1604AD the “star” was a conjunction of Mars, Jupiter and Saturn in the year 7 BC.

That thought had been in and out of favor for many years. Recently Astronomer Grant Matthews of Notre Dame using NASA star data confirmed Kepler’s earlier supposition, on 17 April 6BC the sun, Jupiter, the moon and Saturn aligned in the constellation Aries while Venus and Mars were in neighbouring constellations. The effect would have been quite spectacular.

Matthews believes Zoroastrian astrologers would found the planetary alignment in the constellation Aries to be the sign of the birth of a powerful leader.

"In fact it would have even meant that (the leader was) destined to die at an appointed time, which of course would have been significant for the Christ child, and may have been why they brought myrrh, which was an embalming fluid," Mathews said.

"Saturn there would have made whoever was born as a leader a most powerful leader because Saturn had the strength to do it, in their view."

Stephanie Boyd read the Epistle for today which came from the Third Chapter of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians beginning at the First Verse. Paul tells the people of Ephesus of his particular calling to bring the Word of God to the Gentiles. This is not a new Word, but rather the world is now ready for the Word. As the Jews were a chosen people, God is “choosing” all who will accept the grace of God brought by His Son, Jesus Christ.

For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given me to you-ward: how that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.


The Gospel for today came from the Gospel according to Saint Matthew, the Second Chapter, beginning at the First Verse. The Gospel tells the story of the Magi, the Wise Men (traditionally named Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar) from the East, to the Christ Child. This is also the first time Jesus was revealed to the Gentiles. The name of the day, Epiphany means an appearance or manifestation.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa, in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Sermon - What length will you go to find Christ or avoid Him?
Today Father Acker asked if we are to be Magi or little Herods?

When the Christ was born, perhaps before, the Magi saw the star in the West which drew them to Him. The star brought them to Jerusalem where they expected to find a great King. All they found was a paranoid Herod. Of course, they did not mention the paranoid part to the man who killed his own children so they would not be tempted to usurp his throne. When they found only Herod, they went on searching until they found Jesus, who was no longer in the manger, but had been brought home.

At this point to avoid further confusion, you need to know there were four Herods:

• Herod the Great who reined from 37 – 4 BC
• Herod Antipas, Tetrarch of Galilee and Purie, BC4-AD39
• Herod Agrippa I, AD37-44
• Herod Agrippa II

There isn’t much good to say about any of these fellows.

Great was a builder, typical of politicians, he built with OPM (Other People’s Money). He built the port at Caesarea and an aqueduct from Jezreel valley 13 miles to Caesarea. On the other hand, he is the same fellow who not only ordered the murder of all Jewish male babies under the age of two, but ordered the deaths of his own children.

Antipas was the fellow who ordered the beheading of John the Baptist for Salomé to celebrate his birthday.

Agrippa I put James to death and Peter in jail.
Agrippa II jailed Paul for two years before sending him to Rome.

Anyway, the Magi, the astrologers or scholars from Persia seeing the “Star from the East” saddled their camels and rode towards Herod. Not a pleasant ride and not a pleasant destination. Yet in their desire to find Jesus, they rode.

On the other hand, what about Herod? When he heard about Jesus what did he do? First he instructed the Magi to report Jesus’ location back to him. Not being called Wise Men for nothing, they went home another way. When he did not hear back from them, he decided to take another approach. He ordered the murder of all Jewish male babies under the age of two .

So when you hear the Lord is coming, what do you do? Clearly you must look for Him.

But to what purpose?

Before you answer – understand this – your life will never be the same after you find Him. Either way.

Birthdays and Anniversaries
There were no reported birthdays or anniversaries today.

After Church Hospitality
Dru Arnold brought the goodies today and your Beadle forgot to take pictures, but not snacks. There were little quiches of two types, two types of homemade cookies (snicker doodles and chocolate chip), Marcona almonds and carrots with onion dip. The best were the quiches topped with the onion dip that rightly should have gone on the carrots.

Sadly, your Beadle got his snacks and then got sidetracked, thus there are no photographs of the congregation sitting around enjoying the snacks. Your Beadle apologizes, but hopefully you will trust the congregation was there.

Command Master Chief Brewer Macauley handled the coffee on behalf of Tim’s House of Coffee. Today’s coffee was the special Christmas blend. Father Acker got up early enough to make his famous low carb lemonade and leave on his porch. Very sad. Two weeks in a row. First the Beadle and now the Vicar. We need a double helping of forget me nots!

New Nametags
We had no new nametags today.

People in our Prayers
If you are on our prayer list, or you have submitted a person for us to pray for, please update Father Acker in person, by telephone or e-mail. It helps to be able to pray specifically for these individuals including their specific needs; plus if they get better, it is good to give thanks!

Please note that on the green cards at church, you can ask that those to be prayed for have their names disseminated to the “prayer team”, those names will be said in church and appear here. Or, your can ask that the names and purpose be kept confidential, then only Father Acker will know to pray for them.

Travel
Ben and Holly are on travel this week.
Ken is on travel this week.

Sick or in need of healing

Illness
Annie, Salvador (cancer), Betty, Marge, Fran (poison oak), Kathy, Richard, Christian, Trish, Marie, Wanda, Karen, Lois, Jennette, Linn, Gary, Delores, Anna, Ruth, Theresa, Melanie, Connie, Tom, Crystal, Thomas, Hadley, Diane, Norm, Gregory, Betty, Terri, Mary, Edward, Bert, Joseph, Jesusa (difficult pregnancy), Michele, Kevin, Bruce, Susanne, Ben
Guidance
Christiana, Alex, Breyana, Vie, Asha, Cory, Heather, Holly, Ken, Maruja, Stella, Shelly, William, Joe, Alexander, Jonathan, Phil, Sandy, Larraine, Brad, Brian, Cindi, Uni, Jennifer, Greg, Rick, Carol, Susan, Curtis, Stephen, Chris, Andrew, Alex
Homebound/Aged and Infirm

 Mary, Donna, Betty, Noko, Adelaide, Evelyn, Lorraine, Ellie
Armed Forces & Contractors
Tillman, Patrick, Justin, Evan, Jim, Jason, JR, Matt

Thanksgiving for Safe Birth
Traci and Aaron Huber are pleased to announce the safe birth of:

Warren Garrett Huber
Born 4 January 2008 at 1736 (5:36 pm)
8 pounds 3 ounces

Back Door Lending Library
We have some new Amazing Grace books of several flavors, in addition, there are still several sets of the Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis, as well as some background books on the series. There are plenty of sets, so don’t be shy. There are also Annotated Holy Communion Books. These books have the Prayer Book Holy Communion service on the left page and an explanation on the right page. They are a great way to learn about the service. Pick one up when you come in and use it for the service, if you like.

Personal 1928 Books of Common Prayer & Bibles
During his many travels and general rooting around, your Beadle has come across some very nice personal 1928 Prayer Books, including a couple with Hymnals attached and leather bound Bibles. If you would like one, please contact him directly.

Question that only you can ask
What would you like to know about our history, what we believe, what we do or how we operate? Father Acker is looking for material for the continuing education class and the Beadle is looking for Thought for the Day material. Help us help you. Please send your question to the Beadle so we all can get an answer. Just because you don’t know the answer to your question doesn’t mean you are the only one who doesn’t know. But, if you don’t ask, no one will know.

I’d like to get a different point across or announce something
If you have a different point of view, I would be happy to give you room to get your point across. While this publication is my perspective on events, I recognize not everyone may agree and that some people would like to express their own opinion.

If want to write an article or make an announcement, please forward your item to the Beadle (with a note as to whether or not you would like editing help) to the following address: thebeadle@mac.com.

Epistle Readers
We post the list of Epistle Readers in the Beadle’s Report each week so you can either plan your attendance or your pre-reading as the spirit so moves you.

Date Reader

13 January 2008 Greg Chase
20 January 2008 Ben Lizak
27 January 2008 Holly Lizak


The near future, as well as Next Sunday
Next Sunday is the First Sunday after Epiphany. Next Sunday, Father Acker will be starting a new class series. Or, maybe he will talk a bit more about the liturgical year. You need to come to church to find out before the Beadle’s Report comes out.

See you next week on Sunday!

Father Acker posts a .pdf version of the current Beadle’s Report on the church website:

http://alpineanglican.com/BeadleReports.htm

An alternative version of the Beadle’s Report a single photograph and simple text is available at:
http://thebeadle.blogspot.com/

or with one photograph per issue and colorful text at

http://web.mac.com/thebeadle/iWeb/BeadleBlog/Blog/Blog.html

All back issues of the Beadle’s Reports are available on request from:

thebeadle@mac.com