Epiphany Devotional

John 1:14 NIV

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Epiphany, in some ways, is an “expansion” of Christmas. At Christmas we celebrate the birth of the Messiah, and in Epiphany we commemorate Jesus, God made flesh, being recognized by the world.  Basically, at Christmas God appears as man, and at Epiphany man appears before the world as God.

Epiphany is a season of unveiling and making known.  The word “epiphany” means “to show”, “to reveal”, “to make manifest”, or “to make known”. Therefore, we look at the many stories God has made himself known through Jesus: We follow the Magi guided by a star to worship Jesus. We hear the testimony  of the Father at Jesus’ baptism. We watch Jesus perform various signs and wonders: turn water into wine, heal the sick, and raise the dead. We walk up the mountain with Peter, James, and John, and witness the Transfiguration of Jesus.

Why doesn’t God reveal himself MORE to mankind? Does God even reveal himself to us today? As Christian, regardless of what we see or hear from today’s media, we believe that God indeed continues to reveal himself to us today. He does so through Scripture, the Word being preached, worship, Eucharist, and in community. More importantly, we believe God continues to make himself known through us. His people and his church. As the German theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, once wrote: “The church is the physical manifestation of Christ on earth.”

However, our fears, pride, and busy lives keep us from making God’s grace and love known to ourselves and to others.

Let us be reminded that the season of Epiphany begins with this challenge: “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10 NIV)

• What are some ways we can make space for God to be known to us? To others?
• What keeps you from making God’s grace and love known to people around you? Family, friends, coworkers, or your church community.
• What are ways you can (as an individual) make God known to others? How as a community can we make God known to others?