Dear Faith Family,

"This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing [the epiphany] of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." (2 Timothy 1:9-10)

Yesterday marked the beginning of a new season. And no, I don't mean Spring despite the unseasonably warm weather! No, yesterday marked the start of the season of Epiphany, or Epiphanytide.

As we were reminded on Sunday, Epiphany is the third season in "The Cycle of Light," those dedicated days in which we eagerly anticipate Jesus' Arriving (i.e., Advent) and joyfully marvel at Jesus Arrived (i.e., Christmas). In Epiphany, the anticipation and joy give way to, well, the Way, the path forward illuminated because God is indeed with us and for us.

In its earliest iterations, the season of Epiphany was marked by three familiar stories. First, the story of the "wise men," those seekers of truth who followed the light of the Christmas star to offer their worship at Wisdom revealed and embodied in a baby boy. Their story encourages you and me to join them in fully investing in seeking of truth and, even if what the light reveals is surprising, to nevertheless respond in worshipful awe.

The second is the story of that same boy all grown up, yet still doing what his mother wished, turning water into wine, revealing both the power and purpose of his Life, to restore what had been lost, and into something better than what was already enjoyed. It might be difficult to discern the reality-altering truth of God in the flesh of an infant or toddler, but a miracle worker? Perhaps we who are still learning to be wise will be more attentive to this revelation and trusting of what his light reveals.

Last, but not least, the final story of Epiphany was the tale of Jesus' baptism. The son of a carpenter, the younger cousin of John the Baptizer, revealed as One whose life was from forever, the very Son of God, immersed in our flesh and yet drawing that same flesh into his life with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. From this story, our earliest faith family came to understand that to walk forward into each new morning fully illuminated because we are with God--immersed in the Love that is Father, Son, and Spirit--is the Way of Truth through which Life full and forever is experienced. Perhaps that is why, in the early church, "illumination" was another name for baptism, and why the Byzantine churches still refer to the ritual as "Holy Illumination" to this day.

So, as we enter into the final season in The Cycle of Light, encouraged to be adamant and expectant seekers of truth, and more so, ones who live truly, let us consider Christ's baptism, his illumination, and ours. For,

"...illumination is the fulfillment of desire for those who aim for the greatest things, or that which is greatest, or that which is beyond greatness.

Christ is illuminated, let us flash like lightning with him. Christ is baptized, let us go down with him, that we may also come up again with him." (Gregory of Nazianzus)

May we indeed "flash like lightning with him," and find the fullness of life now and forever.

Love you faith family. God bless.