I started this devotional book in November called, "Living the Christian Year: Time to Inhabit the Story of God" by Bobby Gross.
The reason I got this book is because I feel very deficient in understanding and participating in the "church calendar." This was not my experience growing up at a good Baptist General Conference church. But the older I get the more I am drawn to liturgy and routine in worship--not for the sake of routine only, but for the meaning it represents. Anyway, I started at the beginning of Advent since that is the beginning of the "church year." (News to me as a non-liturgical Christian!) So far I would highly recommend the book if you're looking for a devotional. And you don't HAVE to start at Advent.
And now tomorrow, January 6, is the beginning of Epiphany, which lasts until Lent--who knew?
So, here are some excerpts from Bobby Gross's very good book. Today I read the introduction to Epiphany and I found these excerpts to be enlightening (yes--an epiphany!) and meaningful. Maybe they will be for you, too. Here goes...I'm not putting it all in quotes. But all that follows is from the aforementioned book.
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Now the feast of Epiphany on January 6 brings this theme [the coming of the Light in the birth of Jesus] to culmination--the light of Christ made manifest to the whole world as symbolized by the Gentile Magi from the East. Thus the day of Epiphany and the season that follows complete what is sometimes called in the liturgical year the Cycle of Light.
Three events in the life of Christ are associated with the Feast of the Epiphany: the visit of the wise men from the East, the baptism by John in the Jordan River and the turning of water into wine at Cana.
Epiphany is a season of enlightenment. In these weeks that follow January 6, we focus our attention on Jesus and the unfolding manifestation of his glory "full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).
Epiphany is a season for seeing more of Christ's glory by focusing on his life and mission. Simultaneously, it's a time for making that glory better known to those around us. We bear witness to what we have seen and learned and experienced. Herein lies a spiritual paradox: not only do we say what we see, we also see as we say. Epiphany, then, is a time both to inhabit the Story and to tell the Story, for in the telling itself we are further enlightened.
Epiphany is also known as the Feast of the Three Holy Kings, especially in Latin America.
We can inhabit Epiphany by responding to the twofold call of Jesus: come and see, and go and tell. Like the original disciples, we are "to be with him, and to be sent out" (Mark 3:14). Here are my suggestions for inhabiting Epiphany: immerse yourself once more in the story of Jesus, and renew your willingness to let the light of Christ within us shine to those around us.
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What is your experience with Epiphany?
