I am really starting to appreciate January. While at the end of December there is a sense of nostalgia, it seem heavy with the weight of the year. You are reminded of all the hope you had at the beginning of the year, and then remember all the things that did not happen, or that happened and you'd like to forget. Maybe due simply to tradition, January offers a sense of hope that is lost in December. There are new years resolutions, the winter solstice has passed and so the sun is around longer, and there is a general sense of opportunity. "What will this year bring?"
As I write this it makes me feel like December is dreary, which makes my Christian faith perk up and say, "wait a minute!" Obviously this is because in December, the incarnation of God himself came to Earth in Jesus. Wow! OK that is a pretty big deal. And for humanity, a huge source of hope!
So, how can I reconcile my new love of January with the hope Christ offers in December? Epiphany!.... no, no, I did not get an idea, but the church did a long time ago in the celebration of the holiday, Epiphany! Epiphany falls on January 6th and is the supposed date that the Magi reached the Christ child and offered their gifts to him. The celebration commemorates the revelation of God in human form to the Gentiles (which the Magi represent since they were not Jewish).
So maybe you are saying, "What?! I have never heard of Epiphany before and I know a lot about Christmas..." Well, yes you have! Think of the 12 days of Christmas, yes that wonderful song that goes on and on about the 5 golden rings. Ever wonder when they are? The first day is Christmas and the 12th day is Jan 5th the day before... wait for it.... EPIPHANY! Some even say that each chorus of the song contains symbolism that teaches about faith in Christ. For more on that check out this site...http://www.cresourcei.org/cy12days.html.
In the end I think January if fabulous. I can't wait to see what this year brings. And while I forgot to celebrate Epiphany this year, I think I'll try and remember it next year.
1 comment:
it's funny... in Spain, they celebrate their gift-giving day on Epiphany, though they call it "Dia de los Tres Reyes," or "Day of the Three Wisemen." So we talked about Epiphany in my class this year! There's lots of fun comparisons to the American Christmas Eve tradition: leaving hay for the camels, putting your shoes out for them to know how many gifts to leave, listening for the clatter of the kings, etc. It would be something good to celebrate.
How are you doing? In Redlands anytime soon?
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