Rob Spykstra
In an empirical world where if it can’t be measured it isn’t real, we need days like today, Epiphany, to remind ourselves that we live in an enchanted world, that is, one that cannot be so easily quantified, measured and put into a nice, neat little box.
Epiphany means “revelation” or “an unveiling” or “manifestation.” In the church calendar it is celebrated on January 6th and although little known to our American evangelical churches, it has much to do with us Gentiles. Epiphany is the culmination and the pinnacle of the twelve days of Christmas; a celebration of the manifestation that Jesus was not merely the prophetic fulfillment of Jewish aspirations, but that He was and is the hope of the world.
Specifically it is a celebration of the Magi who mysteriously entered into Joseph’s and Mary’s lives with lavious gifts for their son; Magi who just as quickly left, never to be heard from again. It is these men whom God made wise through His creation, a star. It was these pagans whom He revealed through Scripture specifically that their Hope lived in Bethlehem. This Christmas story is truly enchanted. It has mystery and intrigue. We cannot put it into our nice, neat little boxes.
But most importantly it these Magi who represent us as those, who like them, are called into God’s enchanted story, a story that began with the Jewish nation, but one intended for all. It is this story that gives us hope for an enchanted new year where He will be working to quietly order our lives to redeem and renew all that has been darkened by sin.
So as not to lose our appetite for the enchanted, this month Morning Star will dive deep into fables and myths. We know that all of these stories have an aspect of The Story, God’s story of redemption. And again we will be reminded that we live in an enchanted world that we cannot quite fit into our nice, neat little boxes.
Morning Star Academy Writes 