God's Revelation . . .

 

The Epiphany of the Lord 2026 

January 4, 2026

www.johnpredmoresj.com | predmore.blogspot.com

  

Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72; Ephesians 3:2-6; Matthew 2:1-12

The Christmas picture is complete as the magi from the East come to the crib to pay homage to the Christ child. The Christmas creches have all the pieces in place with these three final figures and their camels. The story is crucial for the Christian faith because it is the moment when all the spiritual seekers of the world are welcomed into God’s realm. Humankind pauses to humbly honor God and to acknowledge God’s sovereignty over existence. For those who are searching, it is a meaningful moment to gaze upon the infant and to know they are with God. 

 

Christians think of Epiphany as the event in which all the nations of the world meet the God of Israel. The magi are depicted as wise men, perhaps astronomers, who show wisdom by seeing through the deception of Herod and choosing not to associate with the man. They do not make a scene. They do not give any power to Herod. They simply disregard Herod and make their own way home. 

 

The story is about us and about all who seek God. We really do want to know if God knows us and remembers us. We all want that God moment when our hearts are overjoyed just as the wise men were when they saw the star. We want to know that God touches our lives, and through this story, we are given a clue. God’s presence is almost undetectable. It is gentle, soft, tender, and is experienced through our senses. God’s voice is spoken through invitations, whispers, nudges, and memories, and when we experience it, our hearts and senses brighten with joy. God came to us through a vulnerable child who needed our love to sustain him and nourish his life. Our lives depend upon this love exchange. 

 

Very many people seek God but might not have the religious language. Those who are weary of religion remain spiritual seekers and they want the same experience that we want and often get. Religion would be more attractive if it paid less attention to rules and teachings and spent more time teaching people who to pray, how to notice God’s presence in one’s life, or how to discern the spirits that guide us through life. People want to know the meaning of life. They want to know that they matter. They want to know that they belong. How can we let people know they matter and that we like them and want to care for them? 

 

          Imagine the good we could do for the world if we recognized that each person we pass by fundamentally wants to know God. People take different paths throughout life and sometimes they are not ready, but our disposition towards them can help them realize they belong. Everyone wants to belong and feel accepted. This is one of the reasons we return home to our families for holidays because they, act like God, even in their dysfunctional state, they will take you in and accept you just because you are one of them, one of us. No one deserves to feel lonely. No one needs to feel alone or on the outside. Epiphany is the moment in which God reveals to us that you matter, you belong, and God becomes very vulnerable to you, and wants your acceptance. God asks, “Will you pick up the child and hold him, please?” By doing this, God wants to hold you and embrace you in all your vulnerabilities. 

 

          Epiphany says to us: God is here. God is here for you. God embraces you as you reach back to God. This is the moment in which thin space that separates humans from the divine is penetrated and blessed with a kiss. Go forth, with your vulnerabilities, and know that the world is full of seekers and that is a place of privilege. When we seek God, we often find God right by our side.