PICK AN EPIPHANY WORD
Today we celebrate early the Festival of Epiphany and enter the season of Epiphany. The season of Epiphany gives us an opportunity to follow a word, like the wise ones followed a star to see God in the flesh, in Jesus, to worship and offer gifts.
You are invited on a similar journey for a season or the whole year. From the basket, close your eyes and draw out an epiphany word and let it guide you. Put it in a place where you will see it daily and see what happens.
The magi followed the star for a long time before they found what they were looking for. We too will have the opportunity to follow a word for a long time – an epiphany word. And as we follow our word, we will see what unfolds in that word. And then share what the Holy Spirit has revealed to you as you follow your Epiphany word. The basket will be on the usher’s table beginning January 1 and remain throughout the month.
· The Magi followed a star, which ultimately led them to Jesus. Therefore, we too use all the resources we have available to us—including creative prayer practices and intention words for the new year— to move closer to Jesus.
· We trust that God uses multiple ways to guide us and speak to us. Epiphany words are one such lens that might provide us a way to look for God in our midst, both actively and in hindsight.
· We trust that it is often easy to miss God in our daily midst. Having an intention word to consider both in present days, as well as to reflect on at the end of the year, allows for us to see God in ways we may not have seen God before.
· We know that the most common prayer practice for many involves speaking to God as opposed to silence or contemplation. The Epiphany words invite us into a new prayer rhythm of reflection and review that can be a powerful new way to connect with God.
· By random selection and not looking or sorting through the Epiphany words when selecting, we practice the spiritual tasks of receiving and mystery. It is not we who are in control in this moment. Instead, we trust that God is present, and we let go of our desire to cultivate or control.
