When What You Really Need is an Epiphany

The snow lights with day.

Everything alight, straight across the fields.

Today's epiphany and I think I'm having one of my own.

Epiphany, always January 6th, the day when we reflect on the three wise men kneeling before the Christ-Lord, Lord of heaven and earth, Christ revealing His divinity under the star in the sky. The snow keeps shimmering.

Malakai pulls his hat lower on his way in from chores and the barn. I watch him from the window.

Epiphany, it means "the manifestation of God."

Where did the God-Child reveal Himself but in the barn and this is the grace: Our God manifests Himself in our mangers and muck, our mundane and mess.

Ours is the God manifesting Himself in the unlikely and unbearable, in the surprise and the second-chance. The God Who bears the burdens and brings the hope.

And when what we really needs is an Epiphany in all the dark — doesn't the epiphany begins simply by seeing the light of God everywhere?

Maybe what the New Year needs more than resolutions is a fresh revelation of God?

To turn with fresh eyes to His Word and this world, and this Joy Dare daring me to look for His fingerprints in the unexpected everywhere — There could be fresh epiphanies of His grace everyday.

The snow glints with this light.

Malakai, he stands right in it.

Picks it up, his mitted hands full, white light in his hands.

And the snowman, he just keeps smiling —

This straight out manifestation of joy –

All this light reflecting thanks….

::

::

::

"With my own eyes I've seen your salvation;

it's now out in the open for everyone to see:

A God-revealing light …

and of glory for your people…" ~ Luke 2:31-32 MSG

::

::

::

And can I just whisper? The Joy Dare with each of you? Each of your voices giving praise to Him? An epiphany of His grace at the beginning of the New Year. The perfect way to begin a year — that's not about perfection but giving Him praise. Giving thanks for you and with you to Him — Let's do this thing with joy!

GIFTS FOR SUBSCRIBERS: 1. Click here for the Jesse Tree Advent Celebration. This is private gift only for those, like you who have subscribed and given us the wild grace of friendship — Thank you!
2. Click here for The Trail to the Tree: An Easter Devotional, our personal gift just to subscribers who have chosen to walk with us, such friends.
May you and yours know it again today, the wooing love of Christ….

Links for 2012-01-06 [del.icio.us]Give me Jesus --- on an AirTran Airways Flight?
@ youtube.... The next time you're waiting on a plane? Or in a line? in an office? What if the whole waiting world broke into song -- just like this. Beautiful.Best of 2011 Family
@ The High Calling: "These family stories will inspire and encourage you...."These Boots Are Made For...
@Getting Down With Jesus... "Because what's the point of anything in this life if I'm not going to let it change me?" Worthy, beautiful read.