Today, the Feast of the Epiphany, we celebrate the visit of the three Magi to the infant Jesus. The name Epiphany comes from the Greek word Epiphania, which means to show, make known, or reveal. Epiphany... the day on which the Divinity of Jesus was publicly recognized. Light of the World, Emmanuel (God with us), Prince of Peace... the Good News of great joy for all people had at last been manifested to the world. I remember clearly the "seed" that made the Divinity of Jesus an undeniable reality to me. It was the book by Philip Yancey entitled "The Jesus I Never Knew." Yancey, a former atheist, set out to disprove the Christian claims about Jesus. Through his research, Philip Yancey was convinced that Jesus was Divine. From his research, philosophy, and compelling arguments, I too was convinced, without a doubt, that Jesus Is Who He said He Is... I AM. An epiphany on a grand scale for sure! A few months later, a fuller reality of God's Love was unexpectedly revealed to me as I was watering my hot pink impatiens. The Holy Spirit suddenly and clearly filled my whole being with the awareness that God loves ME, NO MATTER WHAT! The Infant Jesus was the first Christmas Gift, a gift of God's perfect Love. A Love that can't be earned. A free gift to all of mankind. And, like all gifts, it needs to be "unwrapped" to be truly enjoyed. But, we won't unwrap a gift if we don't know it exists, if we don't believe it is for us, or if we don't think we deserve it. The Good News really is good news!!! God loves us all, no matter what! Don't leave this gift under the tree... unwrap it today. We can experience the epiphanies of the reality of God's Love and His constant Presence in our lives every day, if only we keep our spiritual hearts, minds, eyes, and ears open. Prayers for a very Happy New Year!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
The Epiphany
Today, the Feast of the Epiphany, we celebrate the visit of the three Magi to the infant Jesus. The name Epiphany comes from the Greek word Epiphania, which means to show, make known, or reveal. Epiphany... the day on which the Divinity of Jesus was publicly recognized. Light of the World, Emmanuel (God with us), Prince of Peace... the Good News of great joy for all people had at last been manifested to the world. I remember clearly the "seed" that made the Divinity of Jesus an undeniable reality to me. It was the book by Philip Yancey entitled "The Jesus I Never Knew." Yancey, a former atheist, set out to disprove the Christian claims about Jesus. Through his research, Philip Yancey was convinced that Jesus was Divine. From his research, philosophy, and compelling arguments, I too was convinced, without a doubt, that Jesus Is Who He said He Is... I AM. An epiphany on a grand scale for sure! A few months later, a fuller reality of God's Love was unexpectedly revealed to me as I was watering my hot pink impatiens. The Holy Spirit suddenly and clearly filled my whole being with the awareness that God loves ME, NO MATTER WHAT! The Infant Jesus was the first Christmas Gift, a gift of God's perfect Love. A Love that can't be earned. A free gift to all of mankind. And, like all gifts, it needs to be "unwrapped" to be truly enjoyed. But, we won't unwrap a gift if we don't know it exists, if we don't believe it is for us, or if we don't think we deserve it. The Good News really is good news!!! God loves us all, no matter what! Don't leave this gift under the tree... unwrap it today. We can experience the epiphanies of the reality of God's Love and His constant Presence in our lives every day, if only we keep our spiritual hearts, minds, eyes, and ears open. Prayers for a very Happy New Year!
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