Sharing the Good News and Light of
Epiphany.
We celebrate Epiphany this year the first weekend in
January. This is day the church traditionally has celebrated
the arrival of the magi or wise men who came to worship
Jesus. We might also consider it the end of the Christmas
Season.
The Epiphany season is a season of widely sharing the
Good News of Jesus. Since Easter comes so early, we have a
short Epiphany season. This is a time the church focuses on
outreach to a wider audience with the Good News of God in
Jesus Christ. Words from the Gospel of Matthew (28:19) still
challenge us today: "Go therefore and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am
with you always, to the end of the age."
These words of Jesus prompt us to the practice of
invitation. It names baptism, it names us and it becomes a
lens through which God invites us to view and approach
others. Baptism makes clear whose we are; we are God's.
Baptism moves us to an identity as members of God's whole
family. Care for "sisters" and "brothers" moves us to share
our faith and love.
God has not called us to simply enjoy being called a
child of God or to gather with others who are baptized to
celebrate God's gift. God sends us. We tell what God has
done for us. That invites others to know God who loves them
and redeemed them in Jesus.
The Bible's model of invitation is relational —
friends bring friends to Jesus. "Come and see," are some of
the most powerful words we can share. In 2008 may we invite
others, "Come and sit with me," at worship. As disciples, we
plant the seeds in invitation. The gift of invitation is the
way we live with others. The three Magi brought gifts to
Jesus. May we give a gift by inviting friends and neighbors
to the God of light.
Pastor Paul
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