Epiphany. January 6th- twelve days after Christmas. Traditionally it is the commemoration of the wisemen visiting the Christ child and presenting gifts to Him.

For me it is hard to believe another year has transpired. On January 6th it will be four years since my dad died. While this year was relatively uneventful for us (compared to other people in the world), we did experience some loss and changes. While I usually see the glass full of opportunities, sometimes I struggle with the human default that sees the glass empty of any possibilities. Some situations or moments seem full of despair. There are days when I find it hard to get dressed and get going. At least (I tell myself) I get out of bed- I am too much of a coffee and breakfast hound NOT to stagger into the kitchen. I wonder, what is wrong with me? Get up and get going. Think of all the wonderful things in your life and in the world.

Lately I find that I am questioning everything. The world is so topsy-turvy. Yet, I find that I am not alone in those mind explorations. It is comforting to know that every generation and every culture has wondered: what is one’s place in the world, what is the meaning of life, and to some extent- what’s the point of life?

We see it across the scientific ages: Copernicus, Galileo, Descartes, Newton, Einstein, Heisenberg, Schrodinger, Hawking. We see it through philosophers: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Spinoza, the Stoics, Nietzsche. And we see it especially through world religions: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hindu, Buddhism, Taoist.

In the Christian tradition, life’s meaning is grounded in the monotheism of God and His omnipotent, omnipresent, omnibenevolent, and omniscient being: He has a plan and purpose for each of His creation and in returning all creation back into communion with Him.

The “wisemen” in the Epiphany story are called the Magi- Far Eastern philosophers/astronomers/thinkers/scientists. They looked to the stars for their inspiration and in figuring out this world. Over two thousand years ago, they saw something different and intriguing in the sky and needed to check it out.

When I start down the path of wondering about life’s meaning, I need to stop. Pause. And look up. I need to return and remember what I believe to be true and good. I need to look for something new and different that may be on the horizon. I need to (re)turn to what God has done, is doing and will do in my life.

While my introspection is helpful at times, I cannot be so internal that I miss the external. If the wisemen had stayed in the east and just discussed what they saw, they would’ve have missed a life changing journey. They had to get out of their ivory tents and travel to an unexpected place. They didn’t limit themselves to certain ways or ideas. They were willing to explore and discover. While they may have had some questions about the birthplace of this royal visitor, they certainly didn’t let a stable or any preset ideas about nobility/peasants prevent them from worshipping the newborn. They were wise in recognizing the tension of life: between a humble birth and royal priesthood, between the known and the unknown and between challenges and discoveries.

So too, I would be wise to see the tension in life: between despair and hope, grace and truth, forgiveness and accountability, opportunities and challenges, loss and gain, questions and answers leading to more questions. When I feel despair I become paralyzed. I do not want to move but by not moving, or by being set in certain ways or ideas is to limit myself. To be wise is to seek and recognize the tension of life and to not be afraid of it. To be wise is to realize that one needs to move, sometimes physically, emotionally or spiritually in order for God to work through us and for us.

What about you? Do you become circumspect in the beginning of a new year? What is it that you are seeking? Do you have preconceived ideas about the future? Have you ever had to seek out a new beginning or new way of thinking? What did that look like?

Epiphany. According to the etymology, the word itself comes from the wisemen visiting the Christ child. Fitting. When one encounters the Christ child, one is never the same. When we become like the wisemen and seek Christ for the answers to life’s perplexing questions and problems we most often have an epiphany.

Full Definition of epiphany. 1 capitalized: January 6 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles or in the Eastern Church in commemoration of the baptism of Christ. 2: an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being 3a(1): a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something. (2): an intuitive grasp of reality through something (such as an event) usually simple and striking (3): an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure. b: a revealing scene or moment (merriam-webster.com)

Epiphany. January 6th. It occurs every year as long as wise men and women still seek Him.