January 5 – the Eve of Epiphany! This is the end of Twelvetide or Christmastide … the last big celebration of Christmas. In the Western liturgical churches, January 6, called Epiphany, draws attention to the Magi visiting Jesus, bringing Him gifts. In Eastern churches, Epiphany draws attention to Jesus’ baptism and the announcement of God….
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” … [Herod] sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully…
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. (Lamentations 3:25-26) In the early morning hours, our house is quiet and dark. I turn on the Christmas lights, and the darkness is pushed out of the room. I pause for…