Epiphany: Rethink change and awaken love and joy

1. January 6 is observed as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles 

2. an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being

3. a usually sudden manifestation or perception or an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure

Whether we think about the Wise Men and the Epiphany they experienced through the star and their toilsome journey and their years of research and seeking…

Or we identify Zechariah who had nine months to rethink his Epiphany from the angel about having a son…

Or consider the Epiphanies experienced by Mary or Joseph or the shepherds, some of whom had multiple encounters with angels or dreams or Holy Spirit… 

We find that sudden revelation from God caused an awakening and brought a paradigm shift - a new worldview, a new hierarchy of values. Everything changed in their lives and in their responses to what was happening because now they were aware that God had caused the awakening in their minds and hearts, and He not only loved them but had special purpose for them.

Did you experience any Epiphanies in your thinking this Advent and Christmas?

Did you have the joy of helping someone else awaken more to God’s love and joy?

God awakened his love in the wise men through their study of nature. To others he used dreams, angels, and His Holy Spirit. 

Rethink how God stirs people in different ways to become open to the power of the gospel.

Take a 21 day challenge to pray and ask someone what they are thinking about the world or God or life etc… and see where God is at work everyday.’

See if serving or sharing with them, or having a cup of coffee or meal or activity together may lead to them seeking and having an awakening.

For six weeks pray about how God wants to change the rhythms in your daily and weekly grind to include someone as a possible disciple.

It takes 40 days/six weeks to change behavior because of "Limbic lag” but only 21 days to exchange a new habit for an old one.

-PD

Epiphany: Christ is Light and Life to all People (s)

 

Matthew 2:10-11 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

"As with Gladness Men of Old"

by William C. Dix, 1837-1898

1. As with gladness men of old

Did the guiding star behold;

As with joy they hailed its light,

Leading onward, beaming bright,

So, most gracious Lord, may we

Evermore be led by Thee!

2. As with joyful steps they sped,

Savior, to Thy lowly bed,

There to bend the knee before

Thee whom heaven and earth adore,

So may we with willing feet

Ever seek Thy mercy-seat!

3. As they offered gifts most rare

At Thy cradle, rude and bare,

So may we with holy joy,

Pure and free from sin's alloy,

All our costliest treasures bring,

Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King!

Is 61:10-12 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth brings forth its bud,

As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.