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!

Epiphany – The Manifestation of the Lord

Epiphany – The Manifestation of the Lord

My word of the day is EPIPHANY. Yesterday, January 6th (the day after the 12th day of Christmas), was actually Epiphany – which commemorates the revealing of Jesus as Christ to the Gentiles in the persons of the Magi and the baptism of Jesus. But today is when the Church celebrates it.

I was watching the Chip and Joanna Gaines’ “Fixer Upper” show a few days ago and in it, Joanna said, “I had an EPIPHANY and we need to…..” Chip said, “An EPIPHANY – what’s an EPIPHANY?” Jo said “I had a bright idea.” And she was right. EPIPHANY also means “a moment of sudden insight or understanding.

So EPIPHANY is the magi’s “EPIPHANY” and I pray, it is our EPIPHANY (sudden insight and understanding) of WHO this Christ Child was and is to us today.

I love those words we see posted: “Wise men (and women) still seek Him.” It is an EPIPHANY when one soul seeks Him and finds Him. And when we find Him, we find more than we ever imagined. For in Jesus Christ, we find forgiveness, inward peace and joy, today, and the promises of life eternal tomorrow.

The Magi found Him as a young child with Mary His mother. By the way, they didn’t show up at the manger scene as all of our nativity sets display – though it sure adds to the beauty of our sets. (See the ceramic one below that my sweet mother-in-law recently passed on to me that she painted many years ago.) It took those magi almost two years to find “the child”, but they didn’t give up. They were persistent and unwavering and so should we be. When we find him today – He is the living Christ, clothed with glory and honor and seated at the right hand of His Father in heaven. He is there because He finished the work He came to do on earth.

Of His coming, the Bible says, “He was made in the likeness of men: and… He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted Him… that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:7-11). That certainly removes that little innocent, dependent, baby in the manger vision to one that describes our King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

It is so true that wise men AND women still seek Him and it is so wonderfully true that He still seeks us. We hear a lot of talk about men searching for God and finding God. But first, and foremost, our search is very much related to the fact that God first sought us. In Luke 19:10 Jesus said, "...the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost." And, shortly before His death, Jesus told his closest followers, during the Last Supper, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide..." (John 15:16). To me the most important truth in Christianity is that God loves us enough to seek us out even before we start trying to find Him -- whoever we may be.

May the EPIPHANY of our Lord be revealed to you today. The Babe of Bethlehem, Who is now our King of Kings, the Lord Jesus Christ, invites you to come into His royal family today. He’s at your heart’s door, knocking, and asking if you would welcome Him in. All we have to do is open the door, receive and take this priceless gift. Once we do, like those VERY wise men, we won't be able to help ourselves -- we will want to worship with everything we are and everything we have.

Come into my heart. Come into my heart. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Come in today. Come in to stay. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

Wise Men Still Seek Him

Santa Claus came and went. The reindeer's nose is no longer shining. The carolers have closed their Christmas song books. Chestnuts are no longer roasting on an open fire. My Canadian family are so happy we're no longer singing "Let it snow. Let it snow." and "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas", since they now have over 30 feet of snow piled up everywhere. The bells are no longer jingling.

And here at the Wuerch Family's home in Austin, the Christmas lights and decorations have been put away for another year and the 12-foot "real" tree (a real Christmas tree is a "must have" in this family), now dry as a bone and needles shed all over, was hauled off last night. I love to have that task done for my kids while they're away on their annual anniversary trip just after Christmas. This year I had the help of big-brother Barrett and the little brothers, Brennan and Bryson, in getting the tubs down from the attic and once I've filled them up with the decor, they hauled them back up the attic. Whew!

Life will be back to normal again for most of us very soon. The generosity we had for those less fortunate in December and the magic will gradually begin to fade. After all, the Salvation Army volunteers will no longer be ringing their bells at their kettles to remind us of those in need.

Life will soon be back to normal again very soon. "Normal" often means that the magic of the season will begin to fade. But for the moment, the magic is still in the air. I sense it. Maybe that’s why I’m able to type this blog in such sweet peace. The boys are fast asleep -- how can all that ever-so-high energy be reduced to such stillness, quietness and peacefulness? And in this stillness, I'm still savoring the spirit just a bit more. Though the lights that represented the LIGHT of this season were taken down at this household yesterday, I pray that the brilliant LIGHT of Christ that we beheld last week, we will still be looking to Him throughout 2017. And I can’t help but think: if we could give Him so much thought and homage during December, how much more would we live in the spirit of Christmas, if we thought of Him every day?

It's true.....WISE men and WOMEN still seek Him, and when we SEEK, we will FIND Him. He's not hiding. His LIGHT is brilliant for all of us to SEE Him......Jesus said, "I am the LIGHT of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the LIGHT of life.".......EVERYDAY!

Wise Men AND Women Still Seek Him

Day 364 of Photo Inspirations -- Wise Men AND Women Still Seek Him
It's a "Silent Night", here in Washington, as the children are nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar plums (or at least the Cinnabon sticks and popcorn they ate) are dancing in their heads.

But before now, it's been busy around here.  Bryson put his Lego sets from Christmas together, we took down ALL the Christmas decorations (with the help of sweet Kristina), went shopping to buy some things with "Christmas cash" (notice ever-so-thrilled Bryson with his new Star Wars costume on), Brennan washed the dog to snowy white, we watched another old Star Wars movie -- notice Brennan's signs for the movie showing, and the tickets he made so we could get in the home theater that led to his first class treatment of cozy blankets for us, popcorn, chocolate shakes and homemade chocolate chip cookies (with no help from me) and their own Star Wars wars,  These boys give me constant entertainment!  I love it!  I cherish these times.

While we were out and about today, we noticed that the Christmas cleanup has begun.  Christmas trees are already on the curbs of some homes.  Yet, there were still beautiful decorations up in the mall and on Snowflake Lane, here in Bellevue, where the beautiful music, band, performers and dancers continue to entertain and be in Christmas spirit until New Year's Eve.

But, before long, it will all come to an end -- the lights will turn out, the decorations will be put up until next year. Presents of mis-sized clothing and that not-so-exciting game will be exchanged. Christmas candy, decorations, toys and other items are on sale for at least half-price, plus. Life will soon be back to normal again very soon.

"Normal" often means that the magic of the season will begin to fade. But for the moment, the magic is still in the air. I sense it. Maybe that’s why I’m able to type this blog in such sweet peace.  The boys are fast asleep -- how can all that ever-so-high energy be reduced to such stillness, quietness and peacefulness?  And in this stillness, I'm still savoring the spirit just a bit more.   Though the lights that represented the LIGHT of this season were taken down at this household yesterday, I pray that the brilliant LIGHT of Christ that we beheld last weekm that we will still be looking to Him throughout 2016.  And I can’t help but think: if we could give Him so much thought and homage during December, how much more would we live in the spirit of Christmas, if we thought of Him every day?

It's true.....WISE men and WOMEN still seek Him, and when we SEEK, we will FIND Him.  He's not hiding.  His LIGHT is brilliant for all of us to SEE Him......Jesus said, "I am the LIGHT of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the LIGHT of life.".......EVERYDAY!

Magic is Still in the Air

It's a "Silent Night", here in Washington, as the children are nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar plums (or at least the last piece of Jesus' birthday cake they ate tonight) is dancing in their heads.

But before now, it was a full, busy day!  Baseball practice, buying some things with  "Christmas cash", seeing the movie "Night at the Museum 2" (cute movie), exchanging one Hot Wheel set for this one -- yes, it was a work-out for Nana to get it put together but I conquered.  And then the boys had to test drive each of their many hot wheels in the turbo-fast electric shoot.  They give me so much entertainment!

And while we were out and about today, we noticed that the Christmas cleanup has already begun -- well, with the exception of Santa's sleigh here at the mall -- seems he left it behind unitl next year.  ;-)  Yes, the lights, decorations and trees will all come down in the next few days.  Presents of miss-sized clothing will be exchanged. Christmas candy, decorations, toys and other items are on sale for at least half-price. Life will be normal again very soon.

"Normal" often means that the magic of the season will begin to fade. But for the moment, the magic is still in the air. I sense it. Maybe that’s why I’m still awake. I want to savor the spirit just a bit more.  I love the peace and quiet as I am sitting by this beautiful Christmas tree here -- no longer with presents surrounding it -- only twinkling lights that still represent the LIGHT of this season.  I pray that those who beheld that LIGHT last week will still be looking to Him next July. And I can’t help but think: if we could give Him so much thought and homage during December, how much more would we live in the spirit of Christmas, if we thought of Him every day?

It's true.....WISE men and WOMEN still seek Him.
#WiseMenStillSeekHim #ChristmasEveryDay