SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT EPIPHANY

Today we celebrate Epiphany--a commemoration of the visit of the wise men to Bethlehem, where the true King of the Jews was revealed to them. The message of Epiphany resonates with me. Last year a received my DNA profile from ancestry.com, & it pretty much confirmed what I already knew. I am 100% Gentile. Sometime in the very distant path my ancestors scrambled around in the dark forests of Northern Europe. They were barbarians, & they worshiped nature & a host of demons. They practiced blood rituals & human sacrifice. Not a pretty heritage.

Yet at some time & some place a courageous Christian monk or priest or evangelist shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with my Gentile ancestors. They were called out of the darkness into the light of salvation. "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned." (Is. 9:2)

Today is actually the last of the 12 Days of Christmas. Lois finished packing up & storing the rest of our Christmas decorations today, which is always a little sad. I rejoice that my Savior called us out of the darkness. I give thanks that the manger is empty. Our Lord died for us. He rose for us. He sits at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to take us to be with Him forever in heaven. This is most certainly true!

MY CHOSEN ONES

Isaiah 48:13-14a  "Listen to Me, My people, My chosen ones! I alone am God. I am the First; I am the Last. It was My hand that laid the foundations of the earth; the palm of my right hand spread out the heavens above; I spoke & they came into being. Come, all of you, & listen." The Living Bible

SUCCESS & COURAGE

"But I have learned over the years that I will never be a success in my marriage, with my kids or with my friends, without courage." Bill Hybels, Men's Devotional Bible

PRAYERS FOR EPIPHANY

From My Prayer Book

"O gracious God & Lord, who by a star led the Magi to see the manifestation of your love for all people in the Christ Child, I thank You for this revelation that the whole world should share in the salvation which You have prepared in Jesus Christ, Your only-begotten Son.

"Enable me by Your Spirit to find peace & joy in the faith that I, too, have been redeemed by Jesus Christ from sin, from death, & from the power of the devil. Let me never forget that I am now Christ's own & that it is my duty to live under Him in His kingdom & serve Him in righteousness all the days of my life.

"Graciously reveal Yourself to all people who even now do not know Jesus Christ & salvation in Him. Gather Your elect from all the nations of the world that Your house may be full, & Yours shall be the kingdom & the power & glory forever & ever. Amen."

From Lutheran Book of Prayer

"O almighty & everlasting God, who manifested Your Son, Jesus Christ, to the wise men of the East as the light to lighten the Gentiles, You have made Your only begotten Son to be both the glory of Your people Israel & the light to lighten the Gentiles. You have prepared Your salvation for all people. You have established Your Church on earth as the keeper & dispenser of the means of grace, that Your kingdom might come to all men & that Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. I boldly ask that I be so endued with Your Holy Spirit that my joy in the Anointed One increase, that I may give glory to you, & that by all I say & do I may freely confess Your mercies among unbelievers. Let Your Church shine as holy Zion, that the Gentiles may come to her light & nations to the brightness of her rising, & that they with us & the whole host of heaven may praise You & Your most holy name, & live forever in Your presence in light & glory everlasting, through Your dear Son, our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen."

AN EPIPHANY HYMN

From God the Father, Virgin-Born, LSB #401, Sts. 1, 4, 6

From God the Father, virgin-born To us the only Son came down; By death the font to consecrate, The faithful to regenerate.

Abide with us, O Lord, we pray; The gloom of darkness chase away; Your work of healing, Lord, begin, And take away the stain of sin.

To you, O Lord, all glory be For this Your blest epiphany; To God, whom all His hosts adore, And Holy Spirit evermore.