The commercial world does not agree, according to the culture we are now back to normal time...the holiday season is over. I always feel a huge let down by my surroundings about 5 pm Christmas day. The music stops, the stores are open, and some families have all the trappings of the morning delight out at the curb - it's all over.
No it's NOT!! Ignore them, don't strain to see what they got from boxes in front of your neighbor's house, don't listen to the radio as they abruptly switch to regular music around about dinner time on Christmas day. Don't let them in your world, it's still Christmas until the Baptism of the Lord on Sunday.
In fact, today is the Epiphany of the Lord!! What is that you ask? Oh, that's OK, you aren't alone.
The Epiphany of the Lord
According to the Webster's dictionary:
Epiphany comes from the Greek word epiphaneia, appearance to show forth, manifest < epi - upon and phainein - to show
1. an appearance or manifestation of a god or other supernatural being.
2. in many Christian churches, a yearly festival, held January 6, commemorating both the revealing of Jesus as the Christ to the Gentiles in the persons of the Magi and the baptism of Jesus; also called TWELFTH DAY and;
3. a moment of sudden intuitive understanding; flash of insight b) a scene, experience, etc. that occasions such a moment - epiphanic.
Christ made Himself known to the world in several ways, but this day acknowledges 3 specific events:
Visit of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12): Worldly royalty met the Christ child on bended knee, with gifts in hand. They knew He was bigger than they and their presence revealed this epiphany
Baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:9-11), Coming forth from the Jordan waters, God Himself speaks to those around this event telling the world "This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased."[. Well, I don't need an elephant to fly over me on this one!
The miracle at Cana (John 2:1-11): Christ's mother, Mary, instructed him to make things happen to provide more wine to save the groom embarrassment. She knew who He was and it was time for him to take the reigns. Wish I could have tasted that wine!
Think about these events in Salvation history and seek your own epiphany about Christ and your relationship with Him.
It's still Christmas and we can still give gifts, give one to yourself. Christ
Let us pray.
On this day, Lord God
by a guiding star you revealed your Only-begotten Son
to all the peoples of the world.
Lead us from the faith by which we know you now
to the vision of your glory, face to face.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen
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