A Story for the New Year
I
have always welcomed the liturgical season of Epiphany. The word literally
means ‘manifestation’ or ‘light’ and in the life of the Christian church it
focuses on the continuing light of Christ in the world beyond Christmas. January 6th is the actual day of
Epiphany and in Eastern Orthodox churches that is the day Christmas is
celebrated. The season itself lasts
until the beginning of Lent.
Matthew’s
story of the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child is read during Epiphany. (Matthew,
chapter 2) Contrary to the hymn, the Magi were not kings. They were astrologers
from Persia. In their study of the
constellations they observed Jesus’ rising star. There was something compelling about this star that prompted them
to begin a spiritual quest. Along the
way they encounter an obstacle, King Herod, and are warned in a dream to avoid
this evil one who wished Jesus harm.
Without
a clear sense of where they were going or who they would encounter the Magi
trusted their experience of the star and the voice of their dreams. They risked an incredible spiritual journey
and the result was overwhelming joy and an encounter with God incarnate.
At
the beginning of a New Year the story of Epiphany asks these questions:
What
compels you to leave the comfortable places in your life to begin a
life-changing spiritual quest? What guides you in your spiritual journey? How
does God communicate with you? What are the obstacles to your spiritual
journey?
May
God’s light continue to rise and shine in your life in the year ahead.
--Mona