FROM OUR PASTOR
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
I really don’t know what to make of Epiphany. In a very real sense, however, everything about our faith is the celebration of Epiphany.
Epiphany means, literally, “revealing.” It is taking away the veil that covers something. Epiphany is about unveiling what Advent promises: that “all flesh shall see the salvation of God” (Lk. 3:6); that “the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). During this time of year, we read stories from Jesus’ life that show how Jesus revealed that he truly was the light that was overcoming the darkness.
That’s why we celebrate Epiphany—it’s a time to remind ourselves that, in Jesus, a light has dawned that will never go out—a light of faith and hope and joy that outshines all types of darkness that afflict this world.
The Feast of Epiphany is such an important day in the Christian calendar. It is the day when we commemorate the visit of the magi to the infant Jesus. These magi were all pagans, heathen gentiles. They had no connection with the Jewish people, their prophets, their hopes or their Messiah. And yet, according to our Gospel lesson for Sunday, they come from afar to “pay homage” to Mary’s child (Matt. 2:11). From the very beginning, Jesus is worshiped by shepherds and angels, by commoners and royalty, and, perhaps more important, by Jews and Gentiles. From the very beginning, the light that dawned with the birth of Jesus was a light that shines for all people.
Come join us in this feast! We will also gather around the Lord’s Table to celebrate communion, baptize two infants, and sing glorious hymns of the season!
