I love the word ‘epiphany.’ Epiphanies are those “ah-hah!” moments in life when we suddenly ‘understand’ … ‘get it’ … ‘gain insight’ into the nature or meaning of something (or someone) we hadn’t grasped or understood previously.
Many around the world are celebrating the Season of Epiphany beginning today, January 6th. Its origin began long ago, when it is said that a star guided three Magi to travel great distance to pay homage to the baby Jesus. Not surprisingly, the image of a star is often seen as a metaphor for bringing light in the midst of darkness … a darkness of any kind: physical, emotional, spiritual, political, financial, vocational etc..
In the western and northern parts of the world, it is winter – a time of darkness. Throughout the world, with the growing rise of ‘strongman leaders’, the light of democracy is slowly being extinguished. Welcoming the Epiphany through images helps to bring light to ourselves.
I’ve been enjoying “light” since the beginning of the Season of Advent:
…. Royal blue lights appeared four weeks before Christmas (for the Season of Advent).
… Red and green lights were added for the Season of Christmas and its Twelve Days of Christmas.
… And just before heading off to bed last night (Twelfth Night), the coloured lights were removed and white tiny lights for the Season of Epiphany took their place. In this part of the world, which is usually dark, rainy and gloomy, I find that this ‘tradition’ helps me dispel some of the dreary-weather and dreary-politics of the world.
What about you? How can you encourage Epiphany to make a difference in your life this year? Perhaps you could
… Choose a STAR WORD to guide you in the coming year. During the Season of Epiphany, I choose a Star Word which I hope will guide me in some way to a transformative self-growth epiphany. Last year, my Star Word was the word “create.“ I wanted to *create* … create more Soulistry reflections … create special handmade cards for friends and shut-in’s … create change in my health … create more opportunities to play … create ways to bring light into the world around me in terms of kindness, compassion, social justice. This coming year, my Star Word is “open.” I want to be open to new friends, new experiences, new insights, new ways of be-ing.
As well, as coming up with your own Star Word, how about one/some of these things to bring light into your home/life during the Season of Epiphany – especially if you live in a part of the world where evenings and nights are dark.
… Weave tiny white lights around your home as a gentle reminder to welcome the Light that comes into the world through ordinary people who bring kindness, caring, gentleness, peace, patience, goodness, compassion, love, hope. The tiny white lights encourage me to give thanks for the ‘bearers of light’ especially the ‘bearers of light’ in hospitals, care facilities, ambulances, paramedics, fire and police stations.
… Make handmade origami stars. They’re easy to make (YouTube has easy-to-follow videos), are a creative outlet, and simple to do. Over the years, as I have worked on and strung the paper stars in various places – across windows, across mirrors, suspended from leaves of large indoor plants. I invite them to be a metaphor that I be guided in making wise decisions.
… Light some white candles and bring light into the darkness of the winter evenings. I find this to be a gentle, simple and contemplative act that invites a gentle peace in my home and within my soul.
Think of ways you can be the light in the world around you by bringing the light of patience, generosity, forgiveness, gentleness, self-control, thoughtfulness, goodness, compassion, kindness to others and yourself, so that work of Christmas doesn’t stop with Christmas.
As educator, theologian and civil rights leader Howard Thurman wrote: “When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flocks, the work of Christmas begins: to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among the people, to make music in the heart.”
While the Season of Epiphany can last anywhere from 40 to 63 days (because the date of Easter changes each year), for however long the Season of Epiphany lasts, may it be a Season of Light in your life and this pandemic world, and in its own way, continue “the work of Christmas.” Happy Epiphany!
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© June Maffin
https://soulistry.com/blog
www.facebook.com/junemaffin
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I love your blogs, June.
This one, in particular, touches me. I would love to share it a bit on my own blog about Light and the year ahead. Blessings to you.
Thank you, Jane. “Soulistry” blog posts are written to be shared so my friend, share away. And, I know that you are a “light to others, especially those in need. Blessings to you, too. 🙂
I love Epiphany and especially appreciate what you’ve posted here. I have a few stars in my house too and like burning lots of candles. Tree still up, too … hate to take it down!
Like you, my tree is still up … Season of Epiphany … light in the darkness. 🙂
Good morning June,
I found myself reading many of your posts this morning in the quiet dawning of the day.
Epiphany..light..the work of Christmas.
Each of these are ever present in my life,heart and soul these days. I also have a twig white light tree in my corner windows for those to see who pass by my quiet corner of the world.
Thank you for your writings they stir a sweet spot of delight.