Have You Ever Had an Epiphany?

You know that sudden realization – that aha moment – when you suddenly understand the reality of something or the meaning of something. I've had many “epiphany” moments when I could see clearly what someone meant when that said "that" or when I’m reading passages from the Bible that I’ve read dozens of times before, but this time, I really understood it. It was a “revelation” -- a revealing – an epiphany! The lights came on!

Now, let's turn back time to the arrival of the Three Kings aka Magi aka Wise Men to the home of the Holy Family. This is Epiphany 101 -- the realization, aha moment, the revelation, the "epiphany" that the little baby boy that they were coming to worship is the Messiah, the Son of God. Were they "star" struck? Was there a glow around the child? Were there angels singing and little drummer boys playing and was Mary kneeling before Him in wonder and likewise, was Joseph just standing there gawking at his boy while hanging on to his shepherd's staff? Were all the animals lying down in a panoramic view of the holy scene? It's all debatable because theologians differ on whether it was at the manger or two years later at the Holy Family's home but one thing is for certain -- those men had studied the prophecies of the coming Messiah because they said, “We have seen His star in the East and were determined, by faith, to go and worship Him."

Today, January 6th is Epiphany Sunday and the 12th day of Christmas. It officially marks the end of the festive season of Christmas for Christians. That’s why so many of us wait until after this day to take down our Christmas decorations.

Epiphany is a Greek word which means “manifestation.” Today, we celebrate how God manifested His glory to the Magi. First, they saw THE star and chose to follow it all the way to Jesus. Second, when they found Jesus, besides offering “baby shower gifts” of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, they humbled themselves, knelt down and worshipped Him. And, third, the result of their offering and worship was they went home changed. Talk about getting a “return” on your investment!!

And this is how the “flow chart” of our lives should look. Every day we should be choosing to follow THE STAR -- following Jesus. That’s the choice we make on a daily basis – in our workplaces, homes, schools, and communities -- honoring and worshipping our King, our Messiah, the Great I Am. The Magi saw more than a star. They saw God incarnate – divine God and man and when we seek Him, we’ll find Him. It begs us to fall on our knees to worship Him in honor of Who He is and what He has done for us.

The Wise Men were changed forever. They never went back to King Herod and his ungodly ways. “Normal” was no longer an option. They had an EPIPHANY. They had seen the glory of God manifested in that little boy -- God wrapped in human flesh.

And, because we are also WISE men and women, who see, hear, go, worship and adore the Son of God, everything changes for us, too! How can we go back to our old ways and patterns and inconsistencies once we’ve had an EPIPHANY of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords in our lives?

Holy Spirit, please fill us up with the glory and manifestation of Jesus. May His glory change our way of thinking, acting, and helping others to have an EPIPHANY in their lives, too!