January 2000
January 2000
Epiphany -- both a day and a season of the church year -- is the time we celebrate the identity of Jesus, starting with the coming of the Magi, continuing through Christ’s baptism and his first miracle at the wedding in Cana, to the transfiguration.
In Eastern Orthodox churches, Epiphany celebrations commemorate Jesus’ baptism with the Great Blessing of the Waters. Each believer renews baptismal vows and gains new understandings about Jesus as both human and the Son of God. Epiphany is extremely important in its significance and grandeur in Orthodox churches.
In some Hispanic cultures -- both Roman Catholic and Protestant -- Epiphany is a time to celebrate the coming of the Magi to visit the baby Jesus. Emphasis is placed on how they followed the star, the light that guided them to the perfect light.
Early in church history, Epiphany was known as the Festival of the Lights. Today the coming of the Magi is reenacted and is often called Three Kings Day. Children are encouraged to leave straw for the camels, which will be replaced by gifts.
Within the United Methodist Book of Worship are prayers and suggested hymns for Epiphany and the Sundays following. We do not observe this season of the year as carefully as we do Advent or Lent. I suggest that as part of your spiritual discipline during this time that you think about the manifestation of Jesus and the meaning of his life in your life.
Isaiah proclaimed Jesus as the light that would shine the glory of the Lord upon all peoples, both individuals and nations. (See Isaiah 60.) It is of great importance that the Magi were Gentiles, not Jews. Because of their seeking after Jesus by following the star in the East, it is clear Jesus came for all people not just for the remnant of Israel. What they experienced is a brightness that eliminates barriers between peoples and nations.
As followers of this light, we too are to be light-givers and light-bearers. We are to break down the barriers of racism, sexism, classism that separate us from our sisters and brothers. We are to choose to stand against the evil in the world. We must not exclude anyone from God’s salvation. All are welcome to the light, to a life of freedom and liberation that comes through Jesus Christ.
Jesus demonstrated his humanity by insisting that John baptize him. By so doing, he showed himself to be one of us, a human who is washed with God’s water. After the baptism, God declares, This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased, (Matthew 17:5), thus manifesting Jesus as Holy.
Baptism is the service of initiation into the Church. It symbolizes the washing away of sin and is done with gratitude for what God’s grace has accomplished and will accomplish in our lives. It also anticipates that we will grow in our faith and be a part of God’s mission in our world.
Review the vows you took at your baptism or that were taken for you by your parents:
- Do you renounce and reject wickedness and evil and repent of your sins?
- Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil?
- Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior?
- Do you promise to serve Jesus Christ?
May you again receive the gift of the Holy Spirit within your life.
At the wedding in Cana, Jesus changed the water into wine. He did not do so willingly, but at the insistence of his mother. In this way he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him (John 2:11b). This was his first miracle.
Jesus continued to perform miracles throughout his ministry. Some were miracles of healing. Others were the casting out of demons. Some involved the unclean of his day. Some involved Gentiles. It was by faith that many were made whole.
Does Jesus continue to perform miracles today? What miracles have you experienced or observed?
Miracles cannot be explained by logic. They are unexpected and even sometimes unnoticed. Is my faith strong enough for miracles to take place?
Epiphany is the season when we encounter the true identity of Jesus. It is the time when we can increase our faith and reaffirm the being of Jesus. It is also the time when each of us can, through our witness, reveal Jesus to our families and friends. May we let the brightness of Epiphany fell our hearts and minds.
Responsively Yours,
Joyce D. Sohl
Deputy General Secretary, Women’s Division
God comes to be with us in messages of angels:
to Mary a message of holiness,
to Joseph a message of calm,
to the shepherds a message of joy,
to the wise ones a message of courage,
to Joseph a message to flee.
God comes to be with us in messages from angels:
a friend whose message is concern,
a child whose message is wonder,
a stranger whose message is love,
a collegue whose message is caution,
a spiritual counselor whose message is move on.
God comes to be with us in Mary, the young maiden:
who courageously said, "Here I am,"
whose spirit rejoiced in God,
who proclaimed God’s mercy and justice,
who raised her son with faith in the faith,
whose heart became heavy with grief.
God comes to be with us through young women:
who follow God’s call to service,
whose spirits are renewed in God’s love,
who work diligently for the oppressed,
who raise their children in love in the midst of hate,
whose hearts go out to their sisters in solidarity.
God comes to be with us in Anna, the prophet:
a widow of many years,
a woman who worshipped God daily,
a woman who did not let her age destroy her hope,
a woman who recognized the Christ,
a woman who proclaimed the redemption of Jerusalem.
God comes to be with us through the wise elders:
women whose lives have been difficult,
women who worship, pray and live their faith,
women who found wisdom through their living,
women who see Christ in the other,
women who, in word and deed. proclaim God’s message.
God comes to be with us
through God’s creation waiting for redemption,
through God’s Son bringing hope, love and peace,
through God’s Spirit ever present.
God comes to be with us
through angels and saints,
through children, youth and elders,
through friends and strangers.
God comes! Welcome to God in our midst!
Responsively Yours ,
Joyce D. Sohl
Deputy General
Secretary
Women's Division