The Season of Epiphany
25 Dec 2019 • Articles
The annual Christmas celebrations are not really over until the Feast of the Epiphany, 6th January, the day on which we remember the Kings, the wise Magi from the East, visiting the Christ child.
Epiphany means being shown or revealed to everyone, so the Feast of the Epiphany begins the season of Epiphany, when the Church remembers the first public events in the life of Jesus.
The first we know about Jesus as an adult is that he was baptised in the presence of the crowds who had gathered around John the Baptist at the river Jordan. Baptism means making a public commitment to God, and Israel is a warm country, so John out in the open air, leading the people into the deep river and dipping them right under the cold, running water. As Jesus came up out of the water, God's voice was heard saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
Not everyone paid enough attention to Jesus to realise his goodness and importance, (and some people oppose anyone who is good, or they are jealous or resentful of anyone who might be important), but the season of Epiphany continues with thoughts about some of the people who did listen to Jesus, and who became his disciples or closest friends.
As you fill in your new diary, do notice the Church's seasons and events. God gives meaning to our existence - this world would be empty without God's love, and through following the life of Jesus we understand our own lives more.
Ann