Dear fellow seekers of the Messiah,

Almost everyone could give a decent answer to the question, “what is the meaning of Christmas?” Answers like, “the baby Jesus was born, the Word became flesh, God became human, God is like Santa Claus and rewards us for being good boys and girls and punishes us for being bad (nope – that’s NOT right!!), etc.” would be given.

How about Epiphany? I wonder how people would answer the question – “what is the significance of Epiphany?” The scriptural description is - that is when the kings from the East arrived to give gifts to the newborn king. It is when people who were NOT Jews recognized Jesus as the Messiah.

The season of Epiphany lasts from 12 days after Christmas Day until Ash Wednesday. It is a season when we remember and celebrate the ways Jesus is manifested (that is, shown forth as) the Son of God. At Jesus’ baptism, a voice from the heavens says, “This is my Son, the Beloved. With you I am well pleased.”

In what ways do you see Jesus “shown forth” as the Son of God? For many of us, we see this happen in the beauty and power of holy worship, and in the inspiration of the scriptures. But I’m willing to bet that the one, single most powerful way that we see Jesus shown forth as the Holy One is in the lives of people around us.

It may be our parents; it may be our children! It could be through friends from church, or from work or school, or from down the street. It might be through the person bagging our groceries at the store, or the nurse at the doctor’s office, or the clerk at the courthouse.

But here’s the biggie: for other people in your life, it could be you! In fact, for many people – as the saying goes, “you may be the only Bible they ever read”. You, I, all of us, have a chance to participate in a real Epiphany experience: one where the light of Christ shines through us, and is seen – clearly seen – by others. Happy Epiphany, and happy shining forth!

Peace in Christ, George+