Bishop’s Office Message for January 2006

Dear Partners in Ministry,

While January marks the new year on the secular calendar, for Christians it marks the celebration of Epiphany. Epiphany rarely falls on a Sunday, so it often slips by unnoticed. The visit of the Magi to see the infant Jesus is usually combined with the celebration of Christmas, which is

unfortunate, as it robs us of another opportunity to marvel at God's amazing grace. Matthew tells the story of this unusual visit, which adds to the wonder of the whole birth narrative of Jesus. The appearance of a star which gets the attention of wise men from far away to the east, their

long journey to find the King of the Jews to whom the star points, the involvement of Herod, the King of the Jews, his jealous rage when the Magi defy his orders to report to him where they found the child, the flight to Egypt of Jesus with Mary and Joseph when Herod searches out and kills all the male children under two years of age in and around Bethlehem; all these elements paint a dramatic picture of the God who takes very unusual actions to come in person to humankind.

This continues the litany of strange events begun back in Advent: the long wait for many prophecies to unfold, the amazing preparations, the choosing of a poor, humble woman to bear Jesus and a lowly carpenter to provide an earthly father for him, the long journey to the insignificant town of Bethlehem, the birth in a stable, the angelic birth announcement to

low-status shepherds, and now the inclusion of foreign dignitaries who upset the local government. We think we should know where to find God, but chances are we are as puzzled as the folks at the time of Jesus' birth. Jesus still comes in the unexpected: the poor, the homeless, the war-stricken, those affected by natural disasters, and still invites us to follow him as he serves them through us. May this Epiphany season shine the light of Christ into our hearts, homes, and congregations, and inspire us to follow Jesus into the very heart of the world's darkness, bringing

the light of Christ to everyone we meet.

In Christ,

+Stephen P. Kristenson, Bishop

Synod of Alberta and the Territories

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

10014 - 81 Ave.

Edmonton, AB T6E 1W8

Phone 780-439-2636 Fax 780-433-6623

Email: SKristenson@elcic.ca

http://www.albertasynod.ca