Epiphany!

Today we celebrate the Feast of Epiphany…traditionally recognized as the day when the three Magi visited the baby Jesus and presented the Holy Family with the gifts of gold, frankinsense, and myrrh; the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles.

The magi or wisemen or “wize-ards” came from the East. These men had studied the prophesies and writings of the ancient Hebrew captive Daniel and most certainly knew the significance of the star in the sky and the babe in the manger. Many believe it was the gold that paid for the family’s quick departure to Egypt. The frankinsense and myrrh were kept by Mary and were the spices she carried into the garden that (Easter) morning to prepare her son’s body for burial.

We credit James Joyce for the secular meaning of the word “epiphany: a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurance or experience.” Or in his own words, “the revelation of the whatness of a thing. The moment when the soul of the commonest object seems to us radiant.”

Chances are you’ve wondered about the “whatness” of You. What is that essential meaning of your life? Why are you here? What is your life supposed to be all about? If you know the answers to those questions then it’s like owning all the gold, frankincense and myrrh in the world. That knowledge alone directs you and guides you through the daily decisions of life; big and small.

But if you don’t know…that’s the worst of all the unknowns. To be given the beautiful gift of life and not know what it’s for or what it’s all about. It’s like getting a brand new tool for Christmas with no idea how to use it or even what it’s for.

If that’s you…today is your day! It’s the Day of Epiphany! My prayer for you today is that you would discover, even through commonplace occurances, the “whatness” of your being. That you would discover God’s perfect and precious plan for your life.