On this day, the church celebrates the festival of Epiphany! Maybe some of you are saying to yourselves, "That's cool! What is apifanee?" The word epiphany comes from the greek which means, "the manifesting", "the appearing," or "the shining." What was appearing? The Savior! What was manifesting? The God-Man! What was shining? The light of the world! The festival of Epiphany celebrates those first representatives of all nations who came to see Jesus, the wise men from afar. They followed the star that appeared in the sky and led them to the feet of the newborn king, Jesus.

But the festival of Epiphany is just the beginning. For the next eight weeks, we will be in the season of Epiphany. During these weeks, we will see Jesus revealing his true identity, manifesting his power, and shining to more and more people as their Savior.

This season teaches a wonderful and beautiful truth: Jesus came to be the world's Savior. He came to die for the sins of all nations. This appearing, manifesting, and shining is still happening today. Whenever someone learns who Jesus is, that he came to die for them, the Spirit has again revealed Jesus. God has called us like the shepherds, like the wise men, like his disciples, to continue this season of shining to those around us. Shine the light of Christ to all who are in darkness!

"Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
2 See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
3 Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn."
Isaiah 60:1-3