Monday’s celebration of The Epiphany was unique in that it took place in the midst of a once-in-a-generation snow storm. That arctic vortex gave us sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall as we haven’t seen in the Midwest in a long time.

Feeling the cold on my face in the minutes I was out shoveling the drifted snow before the service, it reminded me of a time I now realize was the last time we had such a storm, over 20 years ago. Bundled up, taking the dog for a walk, it was so blisteringly cold, that it drove through my coat and burned my exposed face. Never have I found clothing so ineffective in stopping the cold.

I was preparing what I knew was a pretty knockout sermon–and beginning to wonder if no one would be there to work with me–to share in the homiletic exercise of exploring the text, the season, personal experience, and the call to service embedded in worship, and more importantly, to the very holiday itself.

At least I thought it was a knockout. But I’m a geek for the Epiphany.

The Epiphany

The Epiphany is about GOD made manifest (as I wrote about Tuesday); not just in taking a human form at one time in our history, but in our world and in us.

For us, our understanding of GOD is swirled and made manifest in the Word and in story. Our church’s principal and major feasts are all associated with certain stories: Christmas with the birth story, Maundy Thursday with the foot washing at the Last Supper, Good Friday with the Passion and crucifixion, Easter with the empty tomb, Pentecost with the tongues of fire…

Epiphany has two different stories. It was originally associated with the Baptism of Jesus. Rome wanted a different message, relegating the Baptism to a lesser status (which is BS, if you ask me). Replacing it strangely with the story of three astrologers showing up in Matthew. This is what I usually preach about.

The Point

The swirling storm, the three that came to join me, the Wise Men and their crazy journey from Persia, The Baptism of Our Lord, the manifestation of GOD in the world, all of it is a potent moment of faith. True faith. A faith that Jesus articulates as being about doing, rather than thinking.

Not faith that or even faith in, but faith itself. Not a doctrinal test or creed, but the act of loving and sharing and being together. Sharing in stories, in revelation, in prayer, in communion.

Sharing in GOD’s presence with us. Then compelled to take that presence home. To our families. To our friends. To those loved ones hibernating, snuggled in under blankets before the fireplace or the TV. Taking back with them the fruits of our faith: love.

And giving it away. A manifestation of love and life itself.

GOD shared in kind words, a kiss, poetry, a flower, shoveling snow, putting the damn mailbox on its post again. Each an act of sharing. Each a part of us; a part of GOD.

We: our stories, our lives, our faith, our community.

We manifest GOD.