Epiphany Week

 

It is not over, this birthing. There are always newer skies into which God can throw stars. When we begin to think that we can predict the Advent of God, that we can box the Christ in a stable in Bethlehem, that’s just the time that God will be born in a place we can’t imagine and won’t believe. Those who wait for God watch with their hearts and not their eyes, listening, always listening for angel words. Ann Weems “Kneeling in Bethlehem”

For many, this first full week of 2021 can feel like a return to our regularly scheduled programing, to the routines and rhythms of life, to normal (whatever that will mean in 2021).  Kids go back to school; parents face a full week of work; we start to think about taking down the decorations; some of the hustle and bustle of the past few weeks fades away as there is open space in each day.  Yet, before we step out of the straw of the stable and turn toward living in this New Year, there are a few truths to take with us.

First, no matter how much we want to leave 2020 in the dust, the lessons and losses will continue to linger not just this first month of 2021, but for years to come.  Just because we put up a new calendar doesn’t mean the old year is finished.  I think of the Israelites in the book of Exodus when wandering in the wilderness, having secured their freedom from Egypt.  But on the other side of the Red Sea they actually long to go back.  You can take the person out of Egypt, but it will take time for Egypt to be taken out of the person.  Or you can be done with 2020, but it takes a while until 2020 is done with us.  We need to continue to have spaces and places for us to live the questions that linger from last year.

Second, from a church perspective, Christmas isn’t finished.  Leave that tree up, continue to blast and blare carols, and hold the nativity close because this Wednesday is Epiphany.  This is the day when the Christian tradition says the Wise Ones arrived.  (By the way, this story is in Matthew 2:1-12 – I encourage you to read the story today letting it sing to your soul.  As you do notice that Matthew doesn’t say there are three Wise Ones – but more on that later this week).

As Ann Weems says, “It isn’t over”.  God’s birthing new life and new possibilities and promises continues moment-by-moment; day-by-day.  Read Matthew today listening for the angel’s words to sing to your soul and enliven your heart in this Monday morning. 

Prayer: God of this first full week of a New Year, continued to ground me and guide me with the promises of Christmas, as with the Wise Ones, I continue to search for Your star of wonder, star of light that can lead me on to Your perfect light.