In the liturgical church, the Christmas Season is preceded by the Season of Advent and followed by the Season of The Epiphany. These two bookends extend and enrich the Christmas celebration. Advent is a season of preparation whereby we examine our hearts in the light of Christ. The Christmas Season begins on Christmas Day and extends for twelve days up to the celebration of The Epiphany. The word “Epiphany” comes from epiphaneia in the Koine Greek which means “manifestation.”
The Feast of The Epiphany is January 6. In the Western Church, The Epiphany traditionally observes the visitation of the Magi. Eastern Christians, on the other hand, commemorate the baptism of Jesus as The Epiphany event. Both events clearly manifest that Jesus is the Son of God.
The actual length of the Season of Epiphany depends on the date when Easter will be celebrated. Thus, in some liturgical years, the season is longer than in others. Throughout the Season of Epiphany, we explore numerous and various ways in which God has revealed himself to us. God is always revealing himself to those who will open their eyes and hearts. Reading from Proverbs:
I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me. (Proverbs 8:17)
and then from Jeremiah:
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)
God wants to manifest himself to us. He wants to reveal himself as much as we are able to receive him. In John’s Gospel we read:
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (John 14:21)
The Wisemen from the East were seeking the Lord. They did not fully understand whom they were seeking but it did not stop them from doing so. They traveled a long distance and were willing to make sacrifices.
We may look upon our life as a journey. What do we seek? Whom do we seek? And what sacrifices are we willing to make in our day? Will we set aside a time in our lives to seek God with all our hearts?
Wise men and women still seek Jesus.
Preaching the Lectionary 