From the Rector: Epiphanies

3 January 2024

Soon Christmas will be coming to an end as we celebrate the upcoming feasts of the Epiphany and the Baptism of Christ. Traditionally Christmas has been a season of twelve days, beginning on December 25 and ending on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6. In some places, nativity scenes and Christmas trees remain until February 2, the Feast of the Presentation when candles are blessed for the year. If you have a real tree in Hawai'i, keeping the tree up that long is usually impossible. At the church, we will keep the nativity scene up until February 2, but the tree will come down sometime shortly after the Epiphany.

We have an embarrassment of riches regarding worship this coming weekend. On the Eve of the Epiphany, Friday, January 5, we celebrate the Magi from the East adoring the Christ Child with a Solemn Mass at 6:30 pm. Chalk for the Blessing of Homes will be blessed at this mass, and a Twelfth Night Party Potluck follows the mass in the Parish Hall. On January 6 at 12:00 noon a Low Mass of the Epiphany will be celebrated. On Saturday evening and Sunday morning, our attention at the masses moves to another epiphany - the Baptism of Christ in the River Jordan.

Finally on Sunday evening, the choir will sing Epiphany Lessons and Carols. This delightful carol service focuses on the three traditional epiphanies - the Magi from the East, the Baptism of Christ, and the Marriage at Cana. The service ends with Benediction including the story of the Transfiguration, and after the service all are invited to a reception in the Parish Hall.

I believe that we can say with confidence that Christmastide this year has been a triumph at St. Mark's. We have worshipped the new born King with passion and dedication. I encourage you to participate as much as you are able.

I also want to thank everyone for your generosity regarding the Christmas Offering for our children's ministry and outreach to the preschool. As of a week ago, over $5,000 had been given. If you have not donated, the Christmas offering envelopes will remain in the church through this coming weekend. You may also give online to the fund. 

As the new year progresses, the Light that was born on Christmas Day continues to shine among us. Throughout January we will hear how the good news of Jesus Christ is spreading throughout the world, and forty days after Christmas we have the delight of celebrating Candlemas - the Feast of the Presentation when Simeon and Anna greet the Christ Child in the Temple in Jerusalem. This being said, Lent comes early this year. Ash Wednesday is February 14, and Easter is March 31. We will quickly be reminded that the glory of the Light of Christ always involves sacrifice.

Happy New Year to you and your loved ones,
Father Paul Lillie +