Word: Epiphany
Definition: "an appearance or manifestation" or if you go to dictionary.com the first definition you will find is: "a Christian festival, observed on January 6, commemorating the manifestation of Christ to thegentiles in the persons of the Magi; Twelfth-day." Who would've thought that even dictionary.com would know the true meaning behind celebrating "Epiphany"? I was certainly a little surprised.
Anyway, as a little girl Epiphany was simply a day that meant we could FINALLY take our Christmas tree down and put it out to be collected by the trash men just like everyone else already had...days before. I didn't understand why Christmas ended for everyone else and kept going to those of us that lived in my house. Now that I'm older and wiser (ha!) I find myself wanting to take in every minute of the 12 days of Christmas that we as Catholics set aside to celebrate the coming of our Savior as one of us. Epiphany over the last few years has been a sad day. I don't want Christmas to end. But this year is different.
Why should I be sad that Advent is over if it means that Jesus was born and Christmas has begun?! Why should I be sad that the Christmas season is ending on Epiphany if it means that He has chosen to make Himself known to all people?! I got sad because once Epiphany comes it feels like it is all over...done..finished. No more "Joy to the worlds" or "Oh come all ye faithfuls" will be sung, the tree and lights and decorations will be taken down, and it will be over. SO. NOT. TRUE. My own little epiphany this year was that it is FAR from over at the end of this day. Jesus came as one of us. He came. He lived. For us. With us. He came...and He will come again! Our lives should be lived as a constant advent...with expectation, preparation of our hearts and waiting for Him to come again. And, like the Magi, we should be seeking Him out daily, willing to leave everything behind as He calls us closer to His heart.
So this year let us not just move on to the next thing as we pack away our trees and nativity scenes, but instead, resolve to seek the Christ child and follow Him with hearts like the Magi...Oh, come, let us adore Him...
