January 3, 2022
Dear friends,
Epiphany is the name for a festival and a season in the church. Epiphany is celebrated on January 6, just following the 12th day of Christmas, and it is the name of the season that runs up to Ash Wednesday (March 2nd this year).
Epiphany means appearance. It’s the moment that something hidden is made known. For instance, here’s what Paul writes in Titus 2:
11 For the grace of God has appeared [epiphanied], bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing [epiphany] of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
The traditional lesson for Epiphany is the visit of the Magi, when Jesus is made known [epiphanied] to the nations. With that lesson, we enter into a season that week after week unfolds the full nature of the Christ Child. For instance, the First Sunday of Epiphany tells the story of the boy Jesus in the temple, teaching the teachers about his Father. The Baptism of Jesus (which we’ll celebrate this Sunday) is the moment the Father’s voice from heaven announced that Jesus is the beloved Son of the Father, and the Spirit descended in the form of a dove. The Second Sunday of Epiphany is Jesus’ first sign at the wedding in Cana.
Come along this Epiphany season as God makes known his love for us in the appearing of his Son in human flesh! See how Jesus fulfills all that God had promised as he prepares to win salvation for us on the cross. Learn to love him as he heals and restores and calls us to follow him.
We’ll celebrate Epiphany Eve this Wednesday at our Vespers service – join us as we wrap up Christmas, leaving the manger and stable behind, and looking ahead to the glory of Jesus’ death and resurrection!
God bless and keep you,
Pr. Buchs
COMING EVENTS:
Family Night – Wednesday, January 12 @ 5:30pm
Elders and Council – Thursday, January 13 @ 6 & 7pm
Men’s Bible Study – Wednesday, January 19 @ 8pm
Annual Meeting – Sunday, January 30 @ 11:30am