GENEralities

Christmastide has waxed and waned. Epiphanytide is in.

Tides are good. God made them. At the seaside there is a tremendous amount of life that happens between low and high tide marks.

The tides of the church year are also full of life and spiritual richness. Epiphanytide is all about Jesus. What could be richer than that?

The word Epiphany comes from a Greek word which means “the appearance” or “miraculous phenomenon.”

The Epiphany of Our Lord is celebrated on the 6th of January. It marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas. On that day we celebrate the manifestation or “shining forth” of Jesus Christ to the world and recall the visit of The Magi. The Epiphanytide then runs until Ash Wednesday when Lent begins.

What’s the big deal about Epiphanies? Well, that was what the Apostle Paul had when Jesus Himself appeared to him on the road to Damascus. We all know what happened as a result of that. Also, we Jesus-followers are  supposed to be epiphanies of Jesus to the people around us. We are supposed to be manifestations of Jesus where ever we go.

What is a manifestation? It is a clear appearance, a materialization, an expression, a demonstration of something. In our case, of Jesus. If we let Epiphanytide flow freely in our lives, Jesus appears more clearly before our families, friends and neighbours. He materializes before their very eyes. The tide of Epiphany carries us to new and compelling expressions of the Good News of Jesus. We find ourselves demonstrating the love of Jesus more faithfully and fruitfully as His Living Waters surge around us.

Epiphanytide is in. Come for a swim, the water’s fine.

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