Behold His Glory: Thoughts on Epiphanytide.

I love the season of Epiphany.

We are treated to a series of wonderful Sunday Gospel stories, from the feast day itself (yesterday, the 4th January), where we 'watch' the star-following Magi every year, to the 1st Sunday of Epiphany (11th January) where we 'witness' the Baptism of the Lord by his cousin John the Baptist. 

The sunday after that (18th January, the 2nd Sunday of Epiphany)  we 'observe' St. John's version of our Lord calling His first disciples and then, on the 25th January (3rd Sunday of Epiphany) we 'contemplate' those earliest disciples leave everything to follow Jesus in St. Matthew's version of events.

On the 4th Sunday of Epiphany (1st February) we 'behold' St John's account of the Wedding Feast at Cana where Jesus turns water into wine and John ends the pericope with the words:  Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.   

And that is why, dear reader, I have (rather awkwardly) chosen the words 'watch', 'witness', 'observe', 'contemplate' and 'behold'. The season is all about seeing. 

The clue is in the name: an epiphany is a manifestation or a revelation. In this case the revelation of Jesus as the Only-Begotten, the Son of God. He is 'God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.' (Nicene Creed)

The season ends on Monday the 2nd February with the Feast of Candlemas, also called the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple when he was just 40 days old. 

The story goes that an old, devout man called Simeon, who spent his time at prayer in the Temple, 'laid eyes' on Jesus and was granted an epiphany that seems to have been the lifelong desire of the old man's heart. Here's what he says as he takes the boy in his arms: ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’

And there we have it - may this be a season of 'seeing' for all of us. May God, by his Holy Spirit, open the eyes of our hearts so that we can join with St. John and say that we behold His glory, the glory as of the only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. It's the beginning, and the end, of the Christian life.

With the passing of Candlemas we are into a period the Church calls Ordinary time. More on that later, perhaps. There's nothing particularly 'ordinary' about it...

PS. The Feast of Epihany (the Magi's journey and gifts) marks the end of Christmastide and it's traditional to dismantle Christmas decorations on that day. Our Christmas tree and decorations are packed away but for some enthusiasts the dismantling happens on Candlemas.  Some folks aren't ready to let go of Christmas for a few weeks yet. Each to their own!

PPS.  A note on the image: Reliquary of the Journey and Adoration of the Magi, Made in Limoges, France, Circa 1200,

PPPS. Something I didn't know until today - see below. If I'd known I would have treated the folks at Pulham yesterday.

Announcement of the date of Easter and movable feasts

After the Gospel, following a long-established custom of the Church, the deacon or cantor may proclaim the movable feasts of the current year, in the following form.

Know, dear brethren (brothers and sisters), that,

  as we have rejoiced at the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ,

  so by leave of God’s mercy

  we announce to you also the joy of his Resurrection,

  who is our Saviour.

On the eighteenth day of February will fall Ash Wednesday,

  and the beginning of the fast of the most sacred Lenten season.

On the fifth day of April you will celebrate with joy Easter Day,

  the Paschal feast of our Lord Jesus Christ.

On the fourteenth day of May will be the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ.

On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the feast of Pentecost.

On the seventh day of June, the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

On the twenty-ninth day of November, the First Sunday of the Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ,

  to whom is honour and glory for ever and ever.

Amen.