Finale!
We’ve just journeyed through Advent with five extraordinary women – Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. Each one carried a story of risk, resilience, and redemption. Each one was part of the lineage of Christ. And each one reminds us that God’s story is never confined to the expected.
Now, at Epiphany, the story widens again and my final poem concludes with the journey of the Magi which we will celebrate during the Staff Eucharist at the beginning of the Lent Term 2026.
Wise Women:
The Magi arrive – outsiders, seekers, stargazers. They don’t belong to Israel. They don’t know the Scriptures. But they’ve seen a light, and they’ve followed it. And that light leads them not to a palace, but to a child. Not to power, but to presence.
Epiphany means “manifestation” – the moment when Christ is revealed to the nations. It’s the moment when we realise: this story is for everyone. The women of Advent showed us that God works through the unexpected. The Magi show us that God welcomes the unexpected.
And what do they bring? Gold, frankincense, and myrrh – gifts that speak of kingship, divinity, and death. Even here, at the beginning of the story, the shadow of the cross is present. Lent is coming. But first, we pause in wonder.
Epiphany is the hinge between Advent’s waiting and Lent’s wilderness. It’s the moment we ask: What light are we following? What gifts are we bringing? And are we willing to be surprised by where the light leads?
As we prepare to enter Sacred Echoes, our Lent series that explores faith through contemporary eyes, Epiphany reminds us that revelation is ongoing. God still speaks – through art, through people, through the margins. The light still shines. And it still finds us. What light will you follow this year – and where might it be leading you that you didn’t expect?
What if not wise men but women, and four not three, following the star -
light for these strangers, distinguished astrologers, mystery solvers…
search out holy birth. God humbly enters into frail human life
calls forth His forebears sagely interpreting dreams, guided from afar.
Rich epiphany bringing gifts to atone for events yet to come.
Royal emblem gilds crown of thorns - His suffering soothed by fragrant balm
but what of Mary's deeply wounded soul? Anguish augurs her son's death -
tributes brought to Him, as we come to worship - hearts open to receive
seeking new born King revealed not in a palace but the House of Bread.
Does He remember us? When Martha cooks a meal and is distracted.
Bright signs and portents led us eagerly onward but not straight to Him.
Paying due homage - gifts of gold and rare spice as from a Queen to King.
Bathsheba's son His wisdom requested to rule: becomes more Christ-like,
inspires living with greater love, His sacrifice fulfils prophecy.
Life in God's Kingdom offers room for all so we travelled home with Him.
No longer unknown, but Abel wise women: true and faithful servants.
