ἐπιφάνεια (epiphaneia), Koine Greek epi (preposition) + phanein (infinitive, to appear).
'Tis the season in which Jesus was revealed or manifested as Messiah, the awaited and Anointed one. The Orthodox call it ἡ Θεοφάνεια (Τheophaneia), or God-appearing (theos + phanein). Western Christian churches mark it as the date the Magi came from the East, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and it is a season in which God revealed God's self in the person of Jesus the Christ. In the lectionary for the season, we read about Jesus' baptism as the dove descended on him and God named him the Beloved (Matt. 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-23, John 1:29-33), the first of his signs at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11), the calling of Philip and Nathaniel's confession (John 1:43-51), other stories of healings and exorcisms (this year in Mark 1:14-45), and the presentation in the temple (Luke 2:22-40), ending with the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-8, Luke 9:28-36). All of this is to set the stage for all that happens in Jesus' earthly life, pointing toward his death and resurrection.
That's all pretty dramatic for a new year, isn't it? Even though our liturgical year began on the First Sunday of Advent, we secular westerners are more inclined to inaugurate a new calendar year with popping corks, dropping balls in Times Square, and resolutions to improve ourselves by losing weight, quitting bad habits, taking up an exercise routine, and other sorts of self-indulgent pursuits of which 80% fail by January 20. By the liturgical calender, Jesus had already performed all kinds of signs and wonders by then.
I long ago gave up on New Year's resolutions. Why take on another task over which to beat myself up when I, too, fail to fulfill it? However, looking at the season of Epiphany in which we start our new calendar year makes me wonder how I might also be an 'epiphany' of sorts. How do I show forth my love of God and neighbor? How do I manifest the Christ that dwells within me? These are not questions for setting up resolutions but are eternal questions people of faith have asked for centuries. Teresa of Avila wrote, "We shall never learn to know ourselves except by endeavoring to know God; for beholding His greatness, we realize our own littleness; His purity shows us our foulness; and by meditating upon His humility we find how very far we are from being humble."
How does one show forth God? For Teresa, it would be to clothe oneself in humility before God. This, of course, was not original with Teresa, for we find it Paul's letter to the Philippians:
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.(Phil. 2:1-3).
Humility, huh? I'm tempted to be like the man holding onto a branch for dear life after falling from a cliff, waiting for rescue, when God tells him to let go, and he asks if there's anyone else up there! It isn't my strong suit, this humility, yet it is a constant theme. "Clothe yourselves with humility" it says in Colossians. But wait, there's more!
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord* has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ* dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.* And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col. 3:12-17)
Compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience? Not my top five attributes, I'm afraid, yet I am to clothe myself with them. It's not about making a resolution to do these things or practice these things. It's about becoming them, wrapping myself in them as a cloak. And giving thanks for all of it. And just how am I supposed to accomplish this? One day at a time. Mindfulness. Prayer. The courage to change the things I can. At least I don't have to do it alone, because "nothing will be impossible with God" (Luke 1:37). And at least I have the singing part down.
For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
~T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding"
What an epiphany.
