Clergy from left, Deacon Amy Schmuck, Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired, and The Rev. Mary Ann Hill. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
By Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb
MDiv (ELCA, retired)
I like it that some of my neighbors still have Christmas lights up. This is, after all, the Season of Epiphany, the season of light in Christian tradition. Maybe the neighbors are still celebrating the gift of the Christ Child, or they just like offering light against the darkness, a gift for our neighborhood. There is something to be said for celebrating, like our ancient forbears, that the sun shines longer and longer each day this time of year.
Diana Butler Bass, in her new devotional book A Beautiful Year, writes, “Epiphany can mean ‘manifestation’, ‘revelation’, ‘appearance’, ‘insight’, enlightenment’, or ‘a shining forth’.” She continues:
The season opens with the story of the Magi, three astrologers, who follow the brilliant star to the place of Jesus’ birth and honor the child with gifts. Upon seeing the baby, they were ‘overwhelmed with joy’ and fell on their knees.
The Wise Men awaited a sign in the sky—a star—to guide them on their journey. Revelations break in, signs appear in dreams, light shines forth, and glory hovers all around. Such things are from the realms of miracle, awe and wonder. They surprise and disrupt the normal course of existence. Epiphanies are not of our making.
Even so, Butler Bass says, we are not passive in this. We remain alert for the arrival of epiphanies, attuned to possibility, to sacred surprise that might be revelation. The Magi weren’t passive. They followed light to its source, despite the dangers of the journey and the jealousy of King Herod. They persisted in their search for knowledge and revelation.
It is up to us to respond to epiphanies. “Epiphanies grab hold of us; we can’t shake them. Epiphanies beckon. The star invites; it calls to the attentive to do something—to act.” Butler Bass elucidates:
Epiphany is a manifestation, the mystery revealed, and an invitation to discover grace, goodness, and God. It is neither a magic fix nor a moment when utopia arrives. The birth, the star, and heavenly glory don’t eliminate the darkness. Rather, such revelations cast the light that we needed to see the way ahead.
The Gospel of John states that: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it (John 1:5).” That is our faith, and our joy. Darkness does not overcome. Evil does not have the last word. And we, the people of God, reflect that light and faith in our everyday lives. As Matthew 5 says, “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven (Mt. 5:14, 16).” Be the Light, my friends, and reflect God’s grace to your neighbors. Happy Epiphany!
Editor’s note: ‘All Shall Be Well’ is a column written by local women clergy, including The Rev. Mary Ann Hill, Rector, Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church (momaryannhill@gmail.com); Deacon Amy Schmuck, Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church (deaconamy@bethluth.com); and ELCA Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, M.Div., retired (czoebidd@gmail.com).