Happy Epiphany!

I always celebrate Epiphany by taking down the Christmas decorations. Actually, I make sure that the decorations stay up until Epiphany because the Christmas season lasts that long. No reason to close it up early!

As we put away the tree, the lights, and the decorations and return to ordinary time, let’s take a moment to remember why we celebrate this day in the first place.

This is the day we remember the wise men who came to visit Jesus after His birth. Following a star that appeared in the sky, they knew better than the people living near Jesus that this birth was something special. Wise men who knew nothing of God knew that a king had been born, and he was important enough to journey for days in order to give him homage.

Sometimes it takes an outsider to show us what we should already know.

Think about it. Herod had no idea until the wise men showed up in Jerusalem and asked about the newborn king. The high priest wasn’t looking to celebrate the birth of the Messiah. But the wise men had seen a star and knew.

How?

How could they have known? What were they looking for? Why were they looking at all?

Are we looking? What are we looking for? How will we know?

If you’re not looking, I would challenge you to start. It’s a little late for new year’s resolutions, but I’m always a fan of “better late than never.” Start looking. Expect God to show up. Find someone who can help you see - sometimes it takes an outsider to show us what we should already know.

How will we know? That’s the thing – we do know. We feel it deeply within us. We resonate with it. It touches our soul in a way nothing else does. Something says to us, “I should pay attention to this.” Yet we discount it as a wish, or an emotional response, or a desire for something more. What if it is something more? There was something about that star that stood out from all the others. There is something about that moment or that conversation or that message that stands out for you. Don’t dismiss it. Test it. See if leads to something. See if it builds your faith or clarifies your calling. You’ll know!

As the wise men arrive at the manger, may we be inspired to continue our journey to Jesus, following the stars that are placed before us, leading our way.

Have a blessed Epiphany!