The 12 days of Christmas, by way of the Church calendar, takes us from Christmas day to Epiphany. From the birth of Christ to the visit of the Magi. (January 6th)
Epiphany. Growing up in a rural non-denominational church, this was a word I had never heard until early in my 40's when @kconwayireton introduced me to the Church calendar in her beautiful book, The Circle of Seasons: Meeting God in the Church Year.
The Church calendar was to me its own epiphany. A life-changing realization that, if it did not change the story, it certainly brought the story into focus. It had the effect of melding my physical, tangible awareness with my spiritual awareness. But that is a story for a different day.
Epiphany is the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi in Matthew 2:1-12. Which means, unless you are a Jew, this is truly your "Aha!" moment.
Because, Beloved, He came for you.
He didn't just come to save those who had sat at the table for hundreds of years, as one might think. He came for them, certainly. But He also came for those who had been content (although never quite content) with the crumbs dropped under the table. (Matt 15:27)
This great a salvation was a hope we not dare hope. Yet, from before the foundation of the world the love of our Father God had reached out beyond the trappings of time and met us fully in the form of babe born of a virgin in Bethlehem.
One day, twelve days, nay even a lifetime is not enough for us to comprehend such a Love.
But our time is well spent in the trying.
Blessings,
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If you read something here that inspired you, I’d love to hear about it. Please know I appreciate every comment! Thanks so much for stopping by! Blessings, June