January 6, 2010
The Lord be with you
With the festival of the Epiphany of Our Lord, Christmas is officially over. Epiphany commemorates no specific event but presents an idea that assumes concrete form only through the facts of our Lord’s life. The idea of Epiphany is that the Christ who was born in
Bethlehem is recognized by the world as God. At Christmas, God appears as man, and at Epiphany, this man appears before the world as God. That Christ became man needed no proof. But that this man, this helpless child, is God needed proof. The manifestations of the Trinity, the signs and wonders performed by this man, and all His miracles have the purpose of providing to men that Jesus is God. Lately, especially in the Western Church, the story of the Magi has been associated with this feast day. As Gentiles who were brought to faith in Jesus Christ, the Magi represent all believers from the Gentile world. The word “epiphany” comes from the Greek and means “manifest.” That Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, God in the Flesh, is made manifest. Other lessons associated with this season include the Baptism of our Lord, Christ changing water into wine at the wedding in Cana, and the Transfiguration.Don’t forget that an Epiphany service is being offered by the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Greenville. A soup supper begins at 6:00 PM and the service begins at 7:00.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor John Rickert
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