Calgary Church – Join a movement….

January 6th was Epiphany. Most people don't have any connection to the day but the answer to some of life's biggest questions are rooted in what it commemorates. That sounds pretty significant so why don't more people know about it? Well firstly, it's a part of the church calendar, so not your typical Hallmark event. Secondly, if you don't follow any liturgical traditions then you've probably overlooked Epiphany.

This wasn't the case in the early church where two major feasts were commemorated. The first was obviously Easter. The second wasn't Christmas--it was Epiphany.

If the Advent season (Christmas) was a time for waiting, then Epiphany is the time for answers. Think of Advent as the spark that lights the fuse for fireworks. You see the tiny spark of light, then you wait a moment, and BANG....Epiphany is the massive explosion for all to see. I like to refer to Epiphany as the 'Revelation revealed to the world'; that is, celebrating Jesus’ manifestation to the world.

How is this relevant today? Fireworks are a one time deal, you light, it goes bang, we see the display and go oooh and aahhh. This metaphor is incomplete because Christ, although revealed to the world some 2000 years ago, hasn't gone away (like the fleeting display of the firework). Jesus wasn't just a one time deal, not some non-descript teacher than we can follow, some crazy religious zealot who had equally crazy teachings, or a lunatic or claimed to be Messiah. There's more.

Jesus is the manifestation of God manifested to the world. The word used by church people is called 'incarnation'; Jesus incarnated himself as human so we could connect with a God who sympathizes with the weaknesses of humanity. Think of it this way, what good is it for a Messiah, or all mighty being, if they just stay all high and mighty somewhere in the clouds? In light of all the evil and bad stuff in the world wouldn't it make sense for that higher being (if that's within your paradigm) to intercede into the history of humanity direct rather than staying the heck out? To Christians the reality is that God did and DOES engage in the plight and joy of humanity.

This is where we get relevance for Epiphany today. God incarnate (Jesus Christ) in our world 2000 years ago provides the church community today all the example and reason needed to carry on his legacy. The church community has an important participatory role in righting the wrongs in our world. As Christ first revealed himself to the world to rescue creation, the church today participates in this same rescue mission in real, dirty, and tangible ways.

Epiphany is revelation revealed --> God revealed to humanity, humanity given an answer to how wrongs one day turn right, and you and me given an opportunity to reconnect permanently within a longing for an unbreakable relationship. Certainly a reason to celebrate.