Epiphany
By the time Epiphany arrives, the shepherds – the common people first called to the stable where Jesus was born, have all gone home having told everyone what they had heard and seen.
Epiphany is a term that means to reveal or to make known – to make manifest the meaning of something or someone. For us, it is to make known the meaning of Jesus for today…the meaning of God coming to us and fully sharing our humanity.
The visit of the Magi signal the beginning of Epiphany. The Magi (the kings) – from a different land – a different culture – followed a star and found the Christ Child - the newborn king – the promised One – not in a palace but in a humble abode with a humble family - not where or how they thought…and their lives were changed by this new knowing… this revelation of who Jesus is. The Magi were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, so they went home by a different road.
After this, Joseph was also warned about Herod in a dream, and so he escaped to Egypt with Mary and Jesus…and some time after that they travelled to Galilee and settled in the town of Nazareth. Matthew tells nothing more (Luke does, but Matthew does not) about Jesus’ life after that until the appearance of John the Baptist, some years later, and that’s when Jesus’ public ministry begins.
John is baptizing people at the Jordan River in Galilee and Jesus has come to John to be baptized. The Promised One – God’s anointed, God-with-us - is a man of humble means – a carpenter – now identifying completely with our humanity – in baptism…And then taking baptism to a whole new level. He will baptize in the Holy Spirit.
So, next week on January 6th – Epiphany – and the 6 weeks following (up to Shrove Tuesday), I wonder what we will discover about who Jesus is for us today and how that might become more than an “aha”.
Where the Light Begins
Jan Richardson – Circle of Grace - For Christmas Day
© Jan Richardson. janrichardson.com
Perhaps it does not begin.
Perhaps it is always.
Perhaps it takes
a lifetime
to open our eyes,
to learn to see
what has forever
shimmered in in front of us-
the luminous line
of the map
in the dark,
the vigil flame
in the house
of the heart,
the love
so searing
we cannot keep
from singing,
from crying out
in testimony
and praise.
Perhaps this day
will be the mountain
over which
the dawn breaks.
Perhaps we
will turn our face
toward it,
toward what has been
always.
Perhaps
our eyes
will finally open
in ancient recognition,
willingly dazzled,
illuminated at last.
Perhaps this day
the light begins
in us.