Just a Tiny Little Epiphany

Lucy and I often stop by our Sacred Heart Cultural Center where she has to visit the gift shop and stop in the Great Hall. In spite of exploring with a three year old, who likes to sing "Oh, My Darling, Clementine" from the altar stage, I am always awed by the illumination in this former sanctuary.

On our last visit, a singular beam of light soared through high back windows and lit just one of the angels among the sculptures on the altar: she glowed from within; she suddenly seemed to be a divine being; she was frightening. We thought the shepherds near Bethlehem might have felt the same way we did when the angels appeared to them on Christmas Eve.

Yesterday marked the end of The Twelve Days of Christmas. For me, it has been twelve days of family, quiet times, comfort foods and joy. It has been a time to enjoy the Promise of Christmas and to think about new directions for 2009 -- resolutions, goals, the diet.

Today marks The Epiphany. It is a day in Christianity when "God created man in his own image" (Genesis 1: 27) and the Light of the Christ was revealed in a small corner of the world. For some, Epiphany represents the Visit of the Magi who followed the light of the Star and then returned home to tell their strange story of the Birth of the Son of God. For others, it is the Celebration of the Baptism of Jesus and the beginning of his ministry to the people of the World. For all of us, it is a day of illuminating discovery, a day for perception and understanding, a day for changing lives.

So, today I am waiting for the power of The Epiphany to inform my path. I don't expect a frightening divine being, a blinding light or a chorus of angels. I think just a tiny little epiphany will do. . . a little revelation, a little acceptance, a little courage.

BushStrokes (c) AAB