For God had to manifest himself in a new way – this is how one of the Fathers describes the incarnation. Theophany has come – the manifestation of the Trinity, and of Christ’s purpose in the World. God has come to us in a new way a physical way, one that demonstrates his inexorable solidarity with us, with creation.

This is the feast day on which we celebrate the annual blessing of water – an ancient symbol, with a rich repertoire of meaning. For the moment, however, I want to sit with the idea of the physical presence of water; for Just as God came to us in a new way, a very physical way, we employ this physical substance to restore and refresh the very places where we live, and work, and play. The blessed water brought to our homes, is a conscious bridge between the worship in the temple, and the mundane, and the extraordinary events of our lives; a reminder of how these things converge to shape who and what we are as disciples of Christ.

Finally, let us consider how the blessing of our homes sweeps away the worries and burdens, the anger and resentments, the sickness and despair of the past twelve months. We gather together in one another’s homes to celebrate the blessing of that home – usually with a party – looking forward to a fresh beginning, a clean slate for the coming year.