The Feast of the Epiphany
The Feast of the Epiphany
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born… wise men from the East came to
January 6th, in the liturgical year, is known as Epiphany, which in Greek, means ‘manifestation’ or ‘revelation’ or ’showing forth’. The images of this time take us below the surface of the stories to tell us:
this tiny child in the straw is also the God of our universe, it is a time of revelation of Jesus to all nations (seen in the Maji being Gentiles coming to honor the Christ Child), it’s an opportunity to reflect on our call to share this great news, and we have an opportunity to celebrate anew our involvement in all of God’s creation.
The season of Epiphany is a season of light (as the light of each day grows a bit longer), of enlightenment, a time of ‘making known’. The traditions of Epiphany are to have a big feast, to invite family and guests from everywhere, to go through our homes and bless each room with “Christ, bless this house’.
When we speak of the word ‘manifestation’, we are speaking of Jesus showing us what God is like. To know Jesus is to know God. Each of us carries the Spirit of Jesus in us. We too, in our lives, show what God’s love is like. All of creation also shows us God — the mountains, trees, lakes, rivers, creatures. Everywhere we look, everything we see and touch - everyone - can show us God - if we have the eyes and heart to see.
And so, Epiphany is a special time of blessing. When we bless, we set something aside as special - we treat all people and creation with respect — and we daily try to see God all around us - in everything.
Bless to us, O God
The moon that is above us
The earth that is beneath us
The friends who are around us
Your image deep within us
The rest that is before us.
Epiphany Blessings, Cindy +
