Epiphanies: Then & Now

Today, many American Christian Churches celebrate The Epihany - when we remember the Magi encountering Jesus and his parents, Mary and Joseph. Traditionally, it is celebrated on the 12th day of Christmas - January 6th.

You can read the story in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 2. It was prophesied in Isaiah 59 -60:11.

Wise Women Also Came

Jan Richardson offers us this prayer-poem and image.

Wise women also came.

The fire burned in their wombs

long before they saw the flaming star in the sky.

They walked in shadows,

trusting the path would open under the light of the moon.

Wise women also came, seeking no directions,

no permission from any king.

They came by their own authority,

their own desire, their own longing.

They came in quiet,

spreading no rumors, sparking no fears

to lead to innocents’ slaughter,

to their sister Rachel’s inconsolable lamentations.

Wise women also came,

and they brought useful gifts:

water for labor’s washing,

fire for warm illumination,

a blanket for swaddling.

Wise women also came,

at least three of them,

holding Mary in the labor,

crying out with her in the birth pangs,

breathing ancient blessings into her ear.

Wise women also came,

and they went,

as wise women always do,

home a different way.

[Mary’s] Magnificat of the Magi

from Miryam of Nazareth – Woman of Strength & Wisdom by Ann Johnson

I am immersed in peaceful silence in the presence

of those you led to us, my God.

With quiet awe my spirit listens to the story of this star-led quest

for this newly born one.

I feel your knowing eyes probing the depths of my wonder- filled

heart, and my heart responds in the fullness of knowing.

Yes, this day of recognition, affirmed by wise people,

shall be remembered as long as stars shine,

for in this time the Almighty has become a simple child through us,

the ones who have united with you to claim your promised presence.

Holy is this child's name,

and caring shall flow from age to age

among those who touch our lives.

He lifts his tiny hands to these mighty rulers,

and they understand pure power.

Their prideful eyes are washed clean with tears.

These magi have disregarded Herod

and bow before our little child.

Their hearts overflow with the fruit of their search,

and their rich gifts lie in the shadow on the floor.

You have come yourself to Bethlehem, Yahweh,

mindful of our trust in your love for your people,

... according to the promise told by Isaiah...

mindful of the trust those who love you have shared

from our parents Sarah and Abraham and their descendants

as numerous and eternal as the stars.

Epiphanies

The word “Epiphany” comes from the Greek origin...to reveal or a manifestation

It is a moment when a hidden truth is revealed

·      an "Aha" moment

·      sudden clarity

·      "the brain suddenly connects older thoughts /unrelated thoughts or experiences or information"

·      "a moment when you have a profound clear realization about something important often changing how you see the world or yourself forever"

·      an awareness of the 'missing piece in the puzzle

Rev. AndreaGrace's Reflection on Personal Epiphanies

Epiphanies also happen in our own lives.

In 1998, I journeyed through Advent pregnant, awaiting the birth of a baby due Christmas week. I was meeting with a spiritual director who was a male priest, very compassionate and tuned into women’s experiences. He had suggested I write my own Magnificat which I did. That was a profound experience. My baby was born before dawn on January 2. The priest came to the hospital to bless my new baby whom I brought home on the Feast of the Epiphany. My spiritual director had his own epiphany encountering this child during the 12 Days of Christmas. I remember his awe and wonder as he gazed at my baby. Later, in reading his reflection of the experience, my own eyes were oepned in new ways to God's epihanies and manifestation in our lives.

In 2019, as I was beginning a sabbatical, I was invited to serve as an expert on a statewide board. I went to meet with the board chair and said, “I have good news and bad news…” and explained that my time to volunteer would be limited as I was going on sabbatical. I was in such a timid state of transition – clear that I needed to go on sabbatical, lay off staff and close our physical office… and yet, I was very unsure as to where I would end up. The board chair looked at me with bright eyes and boldly proclaimed: "I can’t wait to see how God shows up in your life!" Her faith brought me hope and comfort through the following 9 months…. until I was accepted in seminary!

When have you experienced an epiphany?

Spiritual Practice: Developing a Toolbox or Pantry of Ways to Discernment

With a toolbox or pantry of discernment ingredients, it becomes easier to facilitate epiphanies - to know, like the Magi, which stars we need to follow.

The most iimportant things for this is to develop a habit of spending quiet time with God - contemplation. During this time, we can process, reflect, prayerfully ponder, be attentive to how the Spirit is moving in us. It’s immensely helpful to build time into our schedules – just as we brush our teeth or eat.

In our time with God, we can consider:

·      To what are we being drawn… not driven

·      How have our bodies reacted to different experiences in our day – did we hae a gut feeling, goosebumps, chills, know something in our hearts, something that took our breath away in awe or made us gasp in horror… (the latter being not of God – an area that needs blessings)

·      Did we hear something unusual?

·      Did we notice something that was unusual – like the star in the sky?

·      Did we notice a Divine echo – a repeat of a message we received before… like the star echoed what we read about in Isaiah?

·      Have we discerned the next right step? And over time, can we connect the dots and see the path where we’ve been or to where God might be leading us?

·      We also need to study – Scriptures, spiritual writers, leaders in our own field of work

Which of these ingredients or tools have you used? Which might you want to use in the coming weeks?

Songs To Pray With and En-joy

We Three Kings - we are invited to be like children with trust, awe, wonder and curiosity

Do You Hear What I Hear - which exemplifies discernment

Bring a Torch Jeannette Isabella

Mary Did You Know?

Goodness of God

Boston Pops 12 Days of Christmas

Have you met Emea and Salome?

We invite the midwives who helped deliver Jesus to be with us. Eastern Christian Churches have kept the midwives’ names alive as Emea and Salome. In St. James’ gospel, we read that Joseph finds a midwife to help Mary. Emea then goes and tells Salome the great news of this divine birth. Salome has a conversion experience – coming to believe in God. The Eastern Church has many images of Emea and Salome with Baby Jesus. This one is a Fresco of the midwives bathing Jesus found at the Dark Church, Open Air Museum in Goreme, Cappadocia, in present-day Turkey.

Let's Pray

This Epiphany, may we experience our own epihanies, coming to know God's loving presence in our lives and following the signs to encounter God - Emmanuel - in new and wondrous ways. May we be like the shepherds who were filled with peace and shared the good news. May we be like the Magi, overcome with joy. May we know God's love more intimately and be transformed to share it more abundantly. Amen.