Epiphany

Epiphany is both a day and a season on the church calendar.  The day is January 6th; the season is the time between the close of the Christmas season and the beginning of Lent.  “Epiphany” means “an appearance, a showing forth, or a shining revelation”.  Though the world pays little attention, for Christians it is an important festival.  The Scripture readings in this season emphasize that the Son born of the Virgin Mary is also the almighty Son of God and Savior of all.  The voice from heaven reveals this fact, declaring at Jesus Baptism, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). The light of Epiphany shines with the truth that the Babe of Bethlehem is true God, made man.  We also see what Simeon prophesied of the infant Jesus at the temple, that His ministry would be for glory to God’s people Israel, and a light for revelation to the Gentiles (Luke 2:32).  Epiphany has been called “The Christmas of the Gentiles”.  A time when we think of the Magi- those Gentile Kings from afar, whom God guided by the new star, a star that He revealed to them connected with the fulfillment of a promise.  A promise by God’s Word now kept at the birth of the Messiah into the world.  May our hearts be blessed this Epiphany season as we celebrate and rejoice as God’s Word shows us the divine glory of His Son.  He is indeed true man and also true God, and our Redeemer.  The last Sunday of Epiphany ends with the transfiguration of Jesus’ glory and we hear before the darkness of Lent, “This is my Son, My Chosen One; listen to him”!