The Feast of the Epiphany: A revelation that Jesus is the Son of God
As I prepared to write this reflection for the Feast of the Epiphany, it became clear. I was awaiting an epiphany to guide my writing.
I was certain I would see a sign. Surely I would know it when I saw it, wouldn’t I?
I watched. I waited. I noticed a few nudges. A few days ago, I had a few creative thoughts. I experienced nothing as bright and clear as a star shining in the east. So far, no epiphany about the Epiphany. I am committed to trudging along through this.
My sense is the magi also grew tired of waiting and watching. They noted a brighter than normal star in a desert sky and began to move toward it. It was not enough to notice the sign.
The sign was calling for their responsive action. They trudged along and followed it.
Focused on sign and action
The magi had a long journey to the manger to meet the Christ child. Did they wonder what would be found upon arrival? Did they speculate about what was to come? Were they afraid? (This is a question about what is going on inside me. The magi were probably fine).
This year, I find myself focused on both the sign and the action in the Epiphany story. What will I allow in my quiet prayer time to prepare me to see and know the signs along the way?
Where can I clear space so that when prompted to action, I can, and do, act? How can I be open to the miracles around me?
This feast day is an active and alive celebration. It requires a full-bodied response. I must pick up my gifts and myself and move forward toward the Christ child in the manger.
My steps are at once a response to having seen and understood the sign, and a living sign for others.
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Thanks, Alice. I love the invitation to “pick up my gifts.” Happy Epiphany and here’s to all epiphanies along the journey.
Thank you, Alice! A reminder to stay on the journey and open to the miracles on the way.
Nudges – signs – picking up my gifts. – movement toward the Christ Child! Your words are an Epiphany, helping me move forward about something I lately have been questioning! Thanks Alice.
Thank you for you for your gift of transparency as you share this timely message on the Epiphany and your insight to your personal revelation of the epiphany!
A blessed read!
What struck me, Alice, was your invitation to be a “living sign for others.” Your beautiful reflection certainly is a good start for me. Thank you.
Well – we are all epiphanies for one another, right? Your beautiful words, Alice, and then each commenter pointing to another sign. When Paula pointed out the bit about being “living sign for others” it made me go back and re-read. Thank you all, Providence People, for BEING epiphany!
Thank you for this insightful reflection, Alice! Epiphany!
These words especially struck me today as last night I was celebrating the 50th anniversary of my older brother and sister-in-law (Frank and Cindy Montgomery, PA) at Fountain Square Theatre in Indy! “This feast day is an active and alive celebration. It requires a full-bodied response.” It was an epiphany night of love, faith, family, friends, food, ceremony, conversation, dancing, and one of my favorites, their son, John holding his sleeping 2-month old on the dance floor swaying to the music. Sweet epiphany.
Alice, what stays with me is realizing “the miracles around me.” I need to focus on the wonder of Christ light that is in my life. Thank you!