Epiphany

Epiphany
Week 1

"Epiphany is a season to notice the paradox of light amidst darkness: the darkness of pagan nations, yet the brightness of the magi traveling to glimpse the Christ child. The darkness of religion and its leaders in Jerusalem, yet the brightness of Simeon and Anna within the Temple. The darkness of my own heart shrouded in doubt, pride, rage, sin. I pause: how might my own soul swell to become a host for epiphanies of Jesus Christ?"

                                                                                      - Tabitha Plueddemann

Perspectives on the Nativity

Christmas, week 2

Mosaic at Capella Palatina

• Isaiah 63.7-14 - rescue, rebellion, recall
• Psalm 148 - let every created thing give praise to the LORD!
• Galatians 4.4-7 - adopted as children with full rights
• Luke 2.21-40 - salvation, light, glory revealed in the infant Jesus
• John 1.1-18 - Word becomes flesh and resides among us

the Rescuer, the Creator of every thing, the Adopter, the Savior, the Light, the Glory - not ethereal but flesh - comes to us!

Nativity Prayer

Let the just rejoice, for their justifier is born.

Let the sick and infirm rejoice, for their savior is born.

Let the captives rejoice, for their redeemer is born.

Let slaves rejoice, for their Master is born.

Let free men rejoice, for their Liberator is born.

Let all Christians rejoice, for Jesus Christ is born.

- Augustine of Hippo (Algeria/350-430AD)