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Candlelit Epiphany Service
Celebrating the journey
On a chilly winter evening at Shawnigan, the School community gathered in the Chapel for a wonderfully warm candlelit service to mark Epiphany.
Epiphany celebrates the journey of the Magi, the kings who came from the east to visit the Baby Jesus. Readings and hymns throughout the service focused on the kings, and Reverend Holland’s short homily touched on the significance of their journey. “The Magi [are] symbols of courage and adventurousness,” he said. “They weren’t afraid to step out of their comfortable lives and set out on a journey into the unknown.” He likened their journey to our own call to step into the unknown or the uncomfortable in our daily lives.
Grade 12 student Spencer N. gave an evocative reading of TS Eliot’s “Journey of the Magi,” which was followed by Headmaster Lamont’s reflections on this thought-provoking poem. “’Journey of the Magi’ is a poem that talks about the inner journey within all of us – the end of one chapter and the opening of another,” he said. As he shared examples of new beginnings in his own life, the Headmaster urged us all to focus on the exciting opportunities that lie before us: “We are all embarking on a new academic term, a new year, a new decade with joys, challenges, and transitions on the horizon.”
A hauntingly beautiful a cappella rendition of Silent Night closed the service. Students and staff of German or Austrian descent sang the first verse in German, as it was originally written, after which the whole School joined in. During the hymn, school prefects lit the candles held by each student. As the last notes were sung and candles were held high, lights sparkled and danced on the Chapel windows. The service had come to an end, but we all carried the warmth from that special evening into the crisp air as we set out to embark on our own journeys.
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Epiphany celebrates the journey of the Magi, the kings who came from the east to visit the Baby Jesus. Readings and hymns throughout the service focused on the kings, and Reverend Holland’s short homily touched on the significance of their journey. “The Magi [are] symbols of courage and adventurousness,” he said. “They weren’t afraid to step out of their comfortable lives and set out on a journey into the unknown.” He likened their journey to our own call to step into the unknown or the uncomfortable in our daily lives.
Grade 12 student Spencer N. gave an evocative reading of TS Eliot’s “Journey of the Magi,” which was followed by Headmaster Lamont’s reflections on this thought-provoking poem. “’Journey of the Magi’ is a poem that talks about the inner journey within all of us – the end of one chapter and the opening of another,” he said. As he shared examples of new beginnings in his own life, the Headmaster urged us all to focus on the exciting opportunities that lie before us: “We are all embarking on a new academic term, a new year, a new decade with joys, challenges, and transitions on the horizon.”
A hauntingly beautiful a cappella rendition of Silent Night closed the service. Students and staff of German or Austrian descent sang the first verse in German, as it was originally written, after which the whole School joined in. During the hymn, school prefects lit the candles held by each student. As the last notes were sung and candles were held high, lights sparkled and danced on the Chapel windows. The service had come to an end, but we all carried the warmth from that special evening into the crisp air as we set out to embark on our own journeys.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
