On January 6, the church calendar celebrates the feast of Epiphany. Mark Hansard helps us prepare with this meditation on Epiphany and the academic life. Reading Matthew 2:1-12 Reflection Epiphany, the season after Christmas and before Lent, is a celebration of the revelation of Jesus. On January 6th the Western church celebrates the coming of the wise men, who divined from the stars the appearance of a new Jewish King. Who the wise men were, and what methods they used to discover the coming of Jesus are … [Read more...] about Scholar’s Compass: Preparing for Epiphany
Epiphany
The Day After Christmas
On Sunday, December 29th, Gene Wingert[1] wove The Day After Christmas throughout the morning worship service at Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church (referred to as EBIC in the PDF). The meditation was so stirring that I asked for a copy to share with you (click here for a PDF). How apt to post on Epiphany, The Day of Three Kings, and in anticipation of sharing gifts in ministry with InterVarsity staff at our triennial staff conference (January 7 - 11, St. Louis). As a teaser, below is the first part. May you … [Read more...] about The Day After Christmas
Supporting Cast to the Christmas Story: The Magi
Last time we looked at the shepherds, wondering what they could teach us. Now we are headed to the other end of the cultural spectrum to the Magi. A few picky details to clear up: they were probably not kings. Most likely they are Persian astrologers. We don't know how many of them there were, but three gifts are mentioned - gold, frankincense (incense), and myrrh (perfume). Talking about the Magi pushes the boundaries for thinking about Advent, because the Magi don't enter into the story until almost two years after … [Read more...] about Supporting Cast to the Christmas Story: The Magi