Epiphany comes from a Greek word meaning “to appear.” It literally means “manifestation,” and represents the presentation of Jesus to the world. The primary story that is often used to begin Epiphany is the story of the wise men coming from the East with gifts for the One who is born King of the Jews. So this task of becoming known and acknowledged began when Jesus was just an infant. Through the season of Epiphany, we will read various stories that have some reference to the beginning of Jesus’ “appearance” on earth. We will read the story of his baptism as the inaugural moment of his life calling, the miracle of turning water into wine at Cana as his first public miracle, his first sermon at the synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth, and then the calling of his first disciples. Epiphany is the season of discovery. Jesus is recognized as “King of the Jews” by the wise men, but now he must discover what it actually means to live out that proclamation in his words and actions.
Epiphany might also be a time to explore our own unique calling, character and contribution in the world. Obviously Jesus had a very special ministry within that first century Jewish society. And the work he accomplished has reached all the way down to our day some 2000 years later. Have you ever wondered whether anything we do or say or think will extend down through the years beyond our lifetime? Is it possible that our lives might bear the marks of a similar eternal power and influence? If someone were to write a story about you, what would they choose as representing your earliest beginnings? What experiences and important moments have shaped the person that you are and the influence you were meant to have?
Through the season of Epiphany, we are going to talk about what it might mean to live a memorable life. As we have said many times, life is a journey. We might think of this journey as an internal, spiritual journey of discovery and insight and then made “manifest” by the way we live. As Jesus understood more and more about his unique nature, he was able to make important decisions about what he came to accomplish. The same will be true for us. We might wonder sometimes, “what is my life about,” or “what am I supposed to be doing” or “how can I live a life that is whole, and healthy and honest?” We will never be content to just simply exist. We want to be fully alive, awake, and useful. We want to matter. Epiphany might be a time to explore how that insight and understanding happens. What does it mean to discover and explore our true selves, and to live an authentic and genuine way in the world. And what can the life of Jesus teach us about making those discoveries?
This series of conversations during Epiphany will be called, “A journey toward wholeness: finding and living an authentic life.” I hope you will join us as we enter the exciting season of Epiphany.
Epiphany might also be a time to explore our own unique calling, character and contribution in the world. Obviously Jesus had a very special ministry within that first century Jewish society. And the work he accomplished has reached all the way down to our day some 2000 years later. Have you ever wondered whether anything we do or say or think will extend down through the years beyond our lifetime? Is it possible that our lives might bear the marks of a similar eternal power and influence? If someone were to write a story about you, what would they choose as representing your earliest beginnings? What experiences and important moments have shaped the person that you are and the influence you were meant to have?
Through the season of Epiphany, we are going to talk about what it might mean to live a memorable life. As we have said many times, life is a journey. We might think of this journey as an internal, spiritual journey of discovery and insight and then made “manifest” by the way we live. As Jesus understood more and more about his unique nature, he was able to make important decisions about what he came to accomplish. The same will be true for us. We might wonder sometimes, “what is my life about,” or “what am I supposed to be doing” or “how can I live a life that is whole, and healthy and honest?” We will never be content to just simply exist. We want to be fully alive, awake, and useful. We want to matter. Epiphany might be a time to explore how that insight and understanding happens. What does it mean to discover and explore our true selves, and to live an authentic and genuine way in the world. And what can the life of Jesus teach us about making those discoveries?
This series of conversations during Epiphany will be called, “A journey toward wholeness: finding and living an authentic life.” I hope you will join us as we enter the exciting season of Epiphany.
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