EPIPHANY IS PERSONAL FOR ME

Today is Epiphany Sunday--the day when the Church celebrates God's first revealing of the Baby Jesus to the wise men. These were Gentiles, outside of the Jewish nation. So, here's why Epiphany is personal for me.

Several years ago I found out through ancestry.com that most of my DNA could be traced to Northern Europe. My ancestors are Gentiles. I am descended from the Germanic tribes that roamed the forests of Northern Europe, praying to trees & practicing human sacrifice. Many generations ago, Christian evangelists, probably monks, braved this pagan culture to reveal Jesus to those living in darkness. By God's grace, my ancestors received the Savior who won forgiveness & salvation for all tribes, cultures, & races.

Jesus is the same Savior for all tribes, cultures, & races today. He calls us to shine the light of the Gospel into this dark world, where many still live as pagans. What a great blessing this was for my ancestors, & what a great blessing this is for all people today! Happy Epiphany!

LIFE THOUGHTS FOR THE CHURCH YEAR

"Nothing & nobody comes into existence apart from the will & the Word of the Lord God Almighty (Gen. 1:3). This means God desires the survival of every human life from fertilization to forever. We court great danger if we go against this intent or counsel others to do so (Ps. 29:7-8). Instead let us receive neighbors as blessings & enjoy our Father's favor (Mark 1:11)!

WE LIVE BY REVELATION

"The world operates on vision. God's people live by revelation. The world seeks grand & noble purposes & goals to achieve . . . God's people function in a radically different way. Christians arrange their lives based on the revelation of God, regardless of whether it makes sense to them. God does not ask for our opinion about what is best for our future, our family, our church, or our country. He already knows! What God wants is to get the attention of His people & reveal to us what is on His heart & what is His will, for God's ways are not our ways! (Is. 55:8-9) . . . The only way for you to know God's will is for Him to reveal it to you. You will never discover it on your own. When you hear from the Father, you have an immediate agenda for your life:  obedience. As the writer of Proverbs observed:  'Happy is he who keeps the law.'" (Prov. 29:18) [Henry & Richard Blakaby, "Experiencing God Day-By-Day"] Comment:  "Revelation" seems like an apt topic for Epiphany, for this is when we celebrate God's revelation of His Son Jesus to the Gentiles. Where does godly revelation come from today? probably not from a shining star. Probably from the shining light of Holy Scripture.

A PRAYER FOR EPIPHANY SUNDAY 

"O God, by the leading star You made known Your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles. Lead us, who know You by faith, to enjoy in heaven the fullness of Your divine presence; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lies & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen. Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin)

A HYMN FOR EPIPHANY

O Morning Star, How Fair & Bright, LSB 395, Sts 3, 4, 6

Lord, when You look on us in love, At once there falls from God above A ray of purest pleasure. Your Word & Spirit, flesh & blood Refresh our souls with heav'nly food. You are our dearest treasure! Let Your mercy Warm & cheer us! O draw near us! For You teach us God's own love through You has reached us.

Almighty Father, in Your Son You loved us when not yet begun Was this old earth's foundation! Your Son has ransomed us in love To live in Him here & above:  This is Your great salvation. Alleluia! Christ the living, to us giving Life forever, Keep us Yours & fail us never!

What joy to know, when life is past, The Lord we love is first & last, The end & the beginning! He will one day, oh, glorious grace, Transport us to that happy place Beyond all tears & sinning! Amen! Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! Crown of gladness! We are yearning For the day of Your returning!

A BIRTHDAY PRAYER *

* Today, Jan. 7, is my 71st birthday.

"My Lord & my God, in You alone I live & move & have my being. Today I again mark the day of my birth & the beginning of my temporal life. In deep gratitude I also recall my spiritual birth in the waters of Holy Baptism as You reconciled me to Yourself & cleansed me of my sin. For all this I thank You.

"This day reminds me, to Your praise, O God, my Creator, that I was not only born into this world, but also that You have brought me to a place where Your name is truly known, Your Word is taught in purity, & where, by Your means of grace, true faith is kindled. I thank You for the benefits You have showered upon me, both for my life here & for my life yet to come, from the day of my birth to this very hour. You have nourished & kept me. By Your holy angels You have protected my life in ways I can hardly imagine, & You have provided my bodily needs of food, clothing, & shelter in full measure. To this grace upon grace You have added Your Word, through which You deliver forgiveness, comfort, & peace for each day of my life. How wonderful are the works of Your hands, O Lord, & Your mercy rich beyond measure!

"Let me ever be mindful of my sinful beginning & my well-deserved punishment. But You have sought me out, the lost sheep; You have redeemed me, sanctified me, comforted me, governed me, & preserved me in my calling. Daily grant me forgiveness of sins, as well as steadfastness in saving faith all the days You have prepared in advance for me, that I may serve You in true faith. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen." (Lutheran Book of Prayer)