So I need you all to think back to when you were little. By little, I mean young. For some of us, that means we have to go back last century. But it’s okay. So go back to when we were young, when we were a child. Wasn’t life a lot easier when we were a child?

Have we each had the experience of just wanting to say would just come to the point? Stop all the words, just tell me what you want. Have we all had one of those moments? And I’m willing to bet if you were to tell the truth, you would say that after listening to many homilies, you just want to say, Father, just get to the point.

So I have a favorite four letter F word. No, I don’t know where your minds went, but my favorite word is free. Any time I hear the words free, like it’s really a good thing. I like free. However, if a friend calls and says it’s been a long time, let’s go out to lunch. My treat. Sometimes I think, this is too good to be true.

The celebration of the Epiphany is really all about traditions. We have different traditions that we celebrate today. So in many cultures, today would be Three Kings Day, really the day of gift giving. But on this day, the church also announces for us the feasts that are approaching. And so listen attentively. Know my dearest brothers and sisters by the gift of God’s mercy, as we have rejoiced at the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

What I am about to tell you is going to absolute shock you. I know, I know. Well, it’s really not all that shocking, but I thought I’d just start that way. I have been told on more than one occasion that I have attitude. Can you believe that? Me? I am sweetness and light. However, I have been told that I have had attitude and I’m not going to say that it was Phil Murray who has told me this.

Now that I have reached a certain age, I have come to the realization that everything I really ever needed to learn. I learned at the dinner table, surrounded by my family.

Did Santa come? Were you on the naughty or the nice list? Nice? Who was on the nice list? Who was on the naughty list? Who was on the old Santa? I tried List that job and give it your best shot. Now presents. How many of us in the congregation this morning got a lot of presents at Christmas.