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4 January 2026

Bible readings for today

Epiphany readings
  • ​Isaiah 60:1-6
  • Psalms 72:1-7,10-14
  • Ephesians 3:1-12
  • Matthew 2:1-12​​

2nd Sunday of Christmas
If Epiphany is celebrated on the 6 January, alternative readings for today include:
  • Jeremiah 31:7-14 
  • Psalm 147:12-20
  • Ephesians 1:3-14 
  • John 1:(1-9) 10-18 

Collect

​E Īhu, mārama o te ao, 
meinga kia tīaho tōu whetū mārama ki runga iho i te wāhi 
e noho ai te rawakore; 
arahina ō mātou tohunga ki te whakaaro nui, 
ō mātou rangatira ki te whakaaro pai. 
Whakarongo ki tēnei īnoi i runga i tōu aroha. 
Āmine. 

​Jesus, light of the world, 
let your bright star stand over the place 
where the poor have to live; 
lead our sages to wisdom 
and our rulers to reverence. 
Hear this prayer for your love’s sake. 
Amen. 

Over the summer

You may have fewer services or regulars over the summer months, but its always a great idea to anticipate that children will be present in your Sunday gatherings.

Quick checklist: 
  • Is your website up to date for visitors?
  • Do you have signage on the church doors or noticeboard for your summer services?
  • Are you ready to welcome new faces who are visiting or exploring new churches over the summer break? Think about your space, and how you can help families feel welcome in your time of worship.
  • How can your services accommodate all ages? 
  • Have some things printed out and a creative station available for kids who want an interactive space. 
Head over to our Holiday Page to check out ideas for Activity Bags (to use in the service) and Summer Packs for families.

The Magi travel to meet Jesus (Matthew 2:1-12)

Today's bible reading talks about how the magi travelled to meet Jesus. 

Input for leaders

Gospel Conversations 2025 (Diocese of Dunedin) - Epiphany / Matt 2:1-12
We're into our holiday-time mode of conversation now until the end of January. Less structured, friends gathering for a chat about readings from Advent 4 to the end of January. 
Gospel Conversation Minis 2024 (Diocese of Dunedin): Something a little different from the usual format. Drop in on us as we chat about our reactions and thoughts about each of the Gospel readings as they come up.
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What is Epiphany?

We often think of Epiphany as just being one day/Sunday, but in fact it is a season in our liturgical calendar. For three weeks we celebrate how Epiphany is all about expanding God's Kingdom beyond his people Israel. 

Epiphany is celebrated in the church on the 12th day of Christmas, which falls on January 6th, and marks the official end to the festive season for many Christians. Epiphany also marks the visit to the baby Jesus by the Magi, (the three Kings, or Wise Men). The word 'Epiphany' comes from Greek and means 'manifestation'. It celebrates 'the revelation of God in his Son as human in Jesus Christ'. 

Intergenerational Worship

When Reality Sets Back in… – The Chosen Ones ​(Intergen Australia)
Epiphany 1: Year A 2022

Written and compiled by Alison Knox. Bible references: Ephesians
Intergenerational Epiphany with a "To Go" Bag (Building Faith)

Activities

A lot of families will be on holiday this weekend, and the story this week is a great one for an intergenerational service. We'd encourage you to include your children into the wider church family, and make sure the worship and teaching is for all ages. If you would like to provide some activities to back up the story for today, you could consider including:  Or consider revisiting some of our Advent 1 star activities

Household Chalk Blessing

A simple chalk blessing to pray over households for the year ahead. 
For background info about the blessing:
  • Chalking the door (Building Faith)
What you need: 
  • A stick of chalk for each household
  • Black construction paper for apartments (optional)
  • A takehome sheet for each household. These are printed off double sided and 3 to an A4. Fold in half like a card. 

Wondering Questions

  • What's your favourite present you've ever given to someone else?
  • What's your favourite present you've ever received?
  • What do you think of the gifts that the wise men brought to Jesus?
  • What gift would you want to bring to Jesus?

Preschool Playdough Mat

Flame Creative have put together a printable Playdough mat, so that the youngest of our children can enjoy Epiphany too. 

Fab no cook playdough recipe (The Imagination Tree)

Epiphany Photobooth

What you need
  • Print outs of the Photobooth props (Strandz Download here) on card stock.
  • Kebab sticks 
  • tape
  • A Photo Booth area set up -- perhaps a corner of the room with gold, purple fabric
  • Pens/sharpies for writing on speech bubbles. You might like to print a few of these. 
  • A camera and laptop/printer for printing photos, or an instant camera printer. Or an old school polaroid! Use a digital camera if you want to share the photos with your church Facebook page or use in service powerpoints next week! 
What to do
  • Take photos of groups of your church family. Encourage them to be creative and excited! Each person adds a prop or decoration to become part of the epiphany story -- a wise man or woman! 
  • Share the photos with your church community, or print them out on the day for families to take home. 
  • Encourage all ages and members of the church to get involved -- this is a great intergenerational activity. 

Pray it!

Epiphany Star Finger print prayers (Flame Creative) - a very simple prayer activity, for all ages, which helps to connect with the story of the Wise Men following the star to find Jesus.

Alternative Epiphany Collect

God of all wisdom
As the wise ones were guided to your stable by a star, 
lead us through this world with gifts of 
love, reason, and wisdom 
so that we shall know and love you, 
our beginning and our end. 
For you are alive and reign with the Father 
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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2nd Sunday of Christmas

Readings
  • Jeremiah 31:7-14 
  • Psalm 147:12-20
  • Ephesians 1:3-14 
  • John 1:(1-9) 10-18 
E te Atua,
nāu te hangānga pai,
otirā, nāu anō i whakaū te mana ki te āhua o te tangata;
tukua tēnei kia whakawhiwhia mātou ki te oranga tonutanga o tāu Tama a Īhu Karaiti,
ko ia e ora nei, e kīngi tahi nei me koe i roto i te kotahitanga me te Wairua Tapu,
kotahi anō Atua āianei, ā, ake tonu atu.
Āmine. 
​
O God, you wonderfully created,
and yet more wonderfully,
restored the dignity of human nature;
grant that we may share the divine life of your Son Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God now and for ever.
​Amen. 

Jeremiah 31:7-14 

"Jeremiah was a prophet. He was sharing God’s words of promise with the Israelites. The Israelites had been taken to Babylon as captives. In other words, they had to leave the land they loved, even though they didn’t want to. They were worried they would never get to return home. They were afraid. In today’s scripture passage, Jeremiah is telling them that God will help them. God will bring them back to their homes and there will be celebrating and thanksgiving."
Source: Gathering of Christ
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