I love Epiphany; the last, rich triumphant note to the Christmas season. A day when we celebrate the Magi's visit to the Christ child, where we celebrate the manifestation and light of Christ going into all the world, for all mankind.
I love this day because it reminds me of a few things:
1. Life is a journey...we don't get to anything worthwhile in an instant. The Magi traveled a few years to seek out Christ, they didn't just pop over from the next town. We get so impatient in our "I want it now" society...where instant gratification is the word. We have, in our culture, forgotten the dignity of a struggle, the nobility of a quest, the triumph of a success hard won. And we're the lesser for it.
2. That Christ is worth seeking. As I just noted, the journey took a few years (the Bible doesn't give us an exact time frame, but the Magi didn't arrive at the manger along with the shepherds, no matter how cute the Nativity scenes are...and I do love my Nativity scenes)....the Magi traveled from far kingdoms, using astronomy, maps and wisdom to diligently seek out the blessed child of prophecy. Do we spend time diligently seeking Christ out now? Do we seek Him in prayer, in the study of Scripture, in the celebration of Him and the worship due Him?
3. That Christ can come to us in ways we never expect. The Magi knew a King was being born...but they found Him in humble settings, born to a young couple, far from their home. No palaces, no royal guards, no heralding of trumpets. Yet they saw Christ for who He is, and worshiped. Do we seek to find Christ in the unlikely around us? And are we ready to worship Him when we find Him?
4. That God is open to all who truly want Him. The Magi were not Jews, but gentiles that studied and sought after the King. Christ is the Light of the World, and from the beginning His message and light were available to all who would come and worship Him. Our lives are a pilgrimage to the King's country, where He bids us "Come and abide,"....and we can travel to that blessed place of peace in the love and joy of Christ; whose yoke is easy and burden is light.
A blessed and happy Epiphany to you all my friends. May this year bring us ever closer to the King, and may we ever seek to love, adore and abide in Him,
-Beth Haynes Butler
I love this day because it reminds me of a few things:
1. Life is a journey...we don't get to anything worthwhile in an instant. The Magi traveled a few years to seek out Christ, they didn't just pop over from the next town. We get so impatient in our "I want it now" society...where instant gratification is the word. We have, in our culture, forgotten the dignity of a struggle, the nobility of a quest, the triumph of a success hard won. And we're the lesser for it.
2. That Christ is worth seeking. As I just noted, the journey took a few years (the Bible doesn't give us an exact time frame, but the Magi didn't arrive at the manger along with the shepherds, no matter how cute the Nativity scenes are...and I do love my Nativity scenes)....the Magi traveled from far kingdoms, using astronomy, maps and wisdom to diligently seek out the blessed child of prophecy. Do we spend time diligently seeking Christ out now? Do we seek Him in prayer, in the study of Scripture, in the celebration of Him and the worship due Him?
3. That Christ can come to us in ways we never expect. The Magi knew a King was being born...but they found Him in humble settings, born to a young couple, far from their home. No palaces, no royal guards, no heralding of trumpets. Yet they saw Christ for who He is, and worshiped. Do we seek to find Christ in the unlikely around us? And are we ready to worship Him when we find Him?
4. That God is open to all who truly want Him. The Magi were not Jews, but gentiles that studied and sought after the King. Christ is the Light of the World, and from the beginning His message and light were available to all who would come and worship Him. Our lives are a pilgrimage to the King's country, where He bids us "Come and abide,"....and we can travel to that blessed place of peace in the love and joy of Christ; whose yoke is easy and burden is light.
A blessed and happy Epiphany to you all my friends. May this year bring us ever closer to the King, and may we ever seek to love, adore and abide in Him,
-Beth Haynes Butler
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