Epiphany – A Season of Discovery

Our form of worship was a bit different today in church. Both our musical and recited liturgy included nuances of the new church season.

Today was one of the rare instances when the day of Epiphany (January 6) occurs on a Sunday. It is the day following the celebration of the 12 days of Christmas, which begins on Christmas day. Epiphany is a season of varying length, taking us from January 6 to Ash Wednesday, which, of course, changes annually according to when Lent begins.

The dictionary meaning of “epiphany” is “a revealing, a manifestation, or an unveiling.” In Western World Churches, Epiphany traditionally acknowledges that the coming of the Magi to worship the Christ child (Matthew chapter 2) is the occasion on which Jesus is “revealed” as the Son of God to the “outside” world. As Lutherans, we follow this tradition.

In most Eastern World Churches, Epiphany commemorates the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan river as its focus. In both traditions, the essence of the feast is the same: the manifestation of Christ to the world and the Mystery of the Incarnation.

In our local Lutheran church, varying the liturgy as the church season changes is a wonderful way to renew our worship experience on an ongoing basis. This refreshing mixture of forms keeps our liturgical expressions crisp and meaningful.

Thanks be to God.