This is a time in the church year when the seasons change fairly rapidly!

We began the church year with Advent, moved through the season of Christmas and now we are entering the season of Epiphany. No matter how quickly this happens, each season of the church year offers unique opportunities for spiritual formation and Epiphany is no exception.

Epiphany begins twelve days after Christmas on January 6th. The season lasts approximately six weeks and ends with Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.

Epiphany Day itself is sometimes called “Little Christmas”; especially by those with an Eastern Orthodox connection since this is the day reserved for Christmas itself in many churches around the world.

Epiphany Day is also sometimes called “Three Kings Day” because it celebrates the arrival of the Magi to visit the holy family in Bethlehem. It was they who presented the infant Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

This visit is typically depicted as occurring on the night of Christ’s birth but the biblical narrative indicates that it could have happened as late as two years after his birth. That is, the visit of the “Wise Men from the East” is described as occurring directly before Mary and Joseph’s flight to Egypt to escape King Herod’s slaughter of infant boys in Bethlehem “two years old or younger.” It is also clear that their visit was to a “house” in Bethlehem, not a stable or manger, and that it happened after the family traveled to Jerusalem for Jesus’ dedication in the Temple (where they met the prophet Simeon).

The season of Epiphany also celebrates the star that led the Magi (likely astrologers from Babylon) to Bethlehem.

Epiphany helps us remember that all of us are on a journey through life (much like the Magi). Consequently, then, during this season it is well to ask ourselves: What is it that we seek? Our answer as Christians should be the same as that of the Wise Men: we should spend our life’s journey in search of Christ in our midst.

Too often, however, we are unsure about what we are seeking let alone where we are headed. Pondering our path and our destination is a great source of enrichment during this important time of year.

Whether our destination is amorphous or clear, we all encounter periods of darkness on our way through life. What is it that guides you during such times? The birth of Christ is light in the darkest time of the year and the star reminds us that the light of God is always available to us to comfort us and help us plot our course.

Outside of church, the word “epiphany” simply means “a sudden realization or awakening.” This, too, can enhance our spiritual evolution. The most profound epiphany (or sudden realization) that a person of faith can have is to awaken to the fact that Christ is with them and that God surrounds them.

These “moments” are more common than we might imagine. The task is tuning into them. When we do–when we really do–we can find ourselves like the Magi: “overwhelmed with joy” at finding Christ.

The journey, the search, the light, the awakening. May your Epiphany Season be blessed.

See you in church,
–Rev. Dominic