Anticipating Epiphany 2024
January and the Epiphany season are a perfect time to seek the light of Divine Love.
Epiphany, sometimes known as “Little Christmas” is January 6th. It’s the official end of the Christmas season and the beginning of the Epiphany Season which is often labeled “ordinary time” in the liturgical year.
Like Pentecost, I believe Epiphany needs a whole season; one Sunday is not enough. The day of Epiphany is the traditional observance of the arrival of the magi at the manger. The word epiphany means a sudden insight or revelation. And doesn’t this kind of thing need more than a day? Besides, what is “ordinary time,” anyway?
I like to think of Epiphany as a season of seeking, of searching, of paying attention. Usually, after Christmas we don’t think much about Jesus and where he might be. He’s gone off to Egypt with his family and we don’t think much more about him.
However, if we want some kind of new insight or revelation, doesn’t that mean we have to be seeking it out, or at least paying attention? This season gives us a chance to seek out Christ in the world, wherever we find ourselves. It’s an opportunity to follow stars and dreams and discover just what God might be up to right now.
January itself often feels like a letdown after December. We either miss the hubbub of the holidays or the dreary gray days and long nights begin to weigh on us. And sometimes the weather isolates us from friends or family or regular social engagements.
It’s the perfect month to seek the light of Divine Love.
Merry Christmas! Happy Epiphany! May joy and all good things be revealed to you!
About Rachael Keefe
Rev. Dr. Rachael Keefe is the pastor of Living Table United Church of Christ. She was called to Living Table in 2015 after serving in many varied ministry settings since her ordination in 1992. She holds graduate degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and Andover Newton Seminary at Yale (formerly Andover Newton Theological School). Her ministry and leadership often center around advocacy and accessibility. Her writing has been published by Chalice Press, The Christian Century, Red Letter Christians, Working Preacher, RevGalBlogPals, and others. She is grateful to be in ministry with Living Table today.
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