The Wise Men Have Arrived!
This morning, I walked out of the church office to hear Chaplain Suzy ask the Pre-K classes at outdoor chapel, “…and what was the third gift the wise men brought?” There was a resounding declaration “MYRRH!” Today is the Feast of the Epiphany. The 12 days of Christmas have ended and we now move into a season in which the world comes to know and understand just who this Jesus is who was born for us.
Understandably, we so often emphasize the highlights in God’s story – Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Pentecost, etc. What I love about the season after the Epiphany is how relentless the revelation of Jesus comes to us. The wise men from the east appear, then at Jesus’ baptism the heavens open up and the Holy Spirit descends to declare Jesus as God’s beloved. Jesus performs his first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. The season will end with the Transfiguration when Jesus will be transformed on the mountain to show his beautiful divinity.
I am ever surprised to experience Jesus anew. In both momentous and mundane experiences, Jesus is present and encouraging. When I laugh, I know my joy is God’s joy. When I mourn, I know that God is a comforting presence. Often, the routine Sunday morning in church turns my attention back to our ever present God. Other times, there are special Sunday mornings that are poignant reminders of what it means to have a God of grace and love. I think this coming Sunday will be the latter as we will be celebrating the church feast named The Baptism of Our Lord. It will be special not only because it is the first Sunday after the Epiphany, but because we will be baptizing two little ones into the household of God! Few things center my heart and mind on the promise of life and deliverance more than baptism. I pray you will join us to witness the miracle that will take place at our font.
Happy Epiphany everyone!
We love you and God loves you,
Josh Condon+