Only two more days in the Christmas season. Friday we will take down our Christmas tree and lights. We will pack away our advent wreath for another year and replace the poinsettias on our mantle. I always struggle with this because it seems that suddenly we replace the promise and joy of Christmas with a drab and uninviting plainness.
But in the midst of this plainness I start to think about the need to get outside and get going with the spring garden. Heaps of catalogues arrive in the mail and my fingers itch to get down into the dirt and make something happen. It had not occurred to me before but this garden activity seems like a very appropriate one for the season of Epiphany, that season when we are all encouraged to get out into the world and tell others about the Saviour whose birth we have just celebrated.
Making something happen to bring new life into our world is the spirit of Epiphany. We are called out into the world not just to talk about Christ but to reveal him to others through our deeds and actions. The garden is one place in which I both connect to God and work to help others connect to God as well, but it is not the only place. One of the challenges I have been thinking about over the Christmas season is How do I reveal Christ to others through my life? I want this season to be a true epiphany for myself and those around me.
Here are some other suggestions that I posted a couple of years ago:
There are many different ways that you could reveal the message of hope to others during this season. Consider doing one of the following during the weeks of Epiphany
- Do you have new neighbours? Are there newcomers to your church? Invite them over for an evening to get better acquainted
- Is this an opportunity to reach out to people in your office or workplace? Consider providing breakfast for those you work with. If you are feeling particularly adventurous you might like to make this a weekly or monthly event.
- Is there a university close by with international students? Invite a small group of students home for lunch or dinner. This is a great way to get know about another culture and the students will be very eager to learn more about your culture and religious traditions.
- Is there a senior care facility near where you live? Take your children over for a visit. Get them to read a story or sing a song for the residents. Consider taking some of the elderly people out for a trip.
- Is there a special way in which your children could reach out to others at their school or play group? Talk to them about the Biblical story and ask them to come up with one way that they could reveal the hope of God the their playmates.
What are your expectations for the season of Epiphany?
I had an epiphany last year, and it just so happened to be on Epiphany! As I sat in church I glanced ahead to the gospel reading for the day, the visit of the Magi. I just caught the last few words of the reading, “…another road”. I don’t know why my mind went there; I know what the standard reading for this day is, but instead of thinking about the Magi, my thoughts shot to Jesus on the road to Emmaus.
It was an interesting mash-up, Emmaus and Magi. Was there something there?
Cleopas and his traveling companion were headed out of Jerusalem after the horrifying and confusing events of the crucifixion. There were rumors of glory, but that just deepened the mystery. They had met Jesus, the one they “hoped would be the Messiah”, but now they were on a new journey, a journey toward understanding. Jesus walked with them. Their hearts “burned”. But their epiphany didn’t come until Jesus sat with them and broke bread. (Lk. 24:13-35)
As I thought about this in relationship to the story of the Magi (Mt. 2:1-12), I wondered what must have gone through their minds as they followed that star. Was it simply a diplomatic trip, or something much more? Was it a one-off event, or the beginning of something entirely new?
Many have speculated about what it meant when the Magi “knelt down and paid him homage.” And that’s all we can really do, speculate. But the Magi knew enough to listen to their dreams and not return to King Herod. They knew they were “overwhelmed with joy”, and I want to believe that their travels home were filled with questions, with wonder, and awe.
- The Magi were paying attention so that when they saw the star they knew it was time to travel. They journeyed, searching for this new-born King of the Jews. Cleopas and his friend likewise were paying attention. When Jesus arrived they knew enough to be present, to listen and learn, to even hope that he was the promised Messiah.
- Just as the Magis’ epiphany was not at their first sighting of the star, so Cleopas and his companion’s epiphany was not at their first sighting of Jesus but rather a later encounter with him in Emmaus.
- Like the Magi who were overwhelmed with joy at seeing the star stop over the place where Jesus lay, Cleopas and his friend’s hearts “burned within them” as Jesus opened the scriptures.
- And like the Magi, their epiphany led them down a new road. Oh, it was the same road from Jerusalem, but now it was totally different. On their way to Emmaus they insisted Jesus stay with them. It was late and the road was far too dangerous to travel at night. But now, after their encounter, after their epiphany, Cleopas and his friend immediately headed all the way back to Jerusalem to tell the others. Everything had changed.
This season of Epiphany I wonder.
- I wonder how often we see the star and sit in the presence of Jesus, filled with joy but perhaps oblivious to the real possibilities. Confusing a feeling for a genuine epiphany, getting the good feelings but heading back down the same old road as before.
- I wonder about this word epiphany and if we can say we’ve had one if it doesn’t fundamentally change us.
- I wonder how often we seek an epiphany, the experience of an exciting new insight or discovery, and allow it to change us a bit, but aren’t paying enough attention to realize that God meant it to be not just one epiphany but a series of epiphanies carefully designed to help us move forward into a future of possibilities beyond our current ability to ask or even imagine. Do we settle for partial change?
- And I wonder whether we can truly grasp the epiphanies before us when we walk alone – for neither the Magi nor Cleopas traveled their paths in isolation. We are created for community.
Epiphany is not just a day but an entire season
Epiphany is not just a day but an entire season leading us to Lent. Epiphany is a journey, not just an event, and God gives epiphanies to us to bless and prod us along into becoming the people we are created to be. It’s helpful that this season falls in the new year of the western calendar. This is a perfect time to reflect on the epiphanies God gave the previous year and how we have allowed them to change us — or have resisted that change. Rather than making a bunch of New Year’s resolutions, what if we simply resolved to pay more attention and to more fully allow God’s epiphanies to change us?
I wonder…
This post first appeared on the Mustard Seed Associates blog in 2014
by Let God find you seems like a strange focus for the start of a new year. Its that time of year after all when we all resolve to be better people, look after ourselves more or just plain commit to do things we have not previously had time for. Most of us know that the resolutions we make will not be kept. By the end of the month we will have forgotten, discarded or just plain ignored them.
As I have reflected on my hopes and expectations for this next year, it occurs to me that though many have the opportunity to come closer to God few of us really do. We are too busy to read scripture or practice regular spiritual disciplines, bored by worship services and surrounded by too much noise to truly hear God.
It seems to me we misinterpret much of our whole to God. and as we look ahead to the coming year I want to suggest some ways to get it right side up.
God is present at all times and in all places, so why do we talk about finding God and drawing close to God I wonder? It is more a matter of allowing God to find us and draw close to us. Adam and Eve hid behind the bushes in the garden of Eden to escape God’s presence. We hide behind busyness, noise and screen time and keep God at arm’s length sometimes, if we are honest, because we like being self centred, arrogant and angry. We don’t want to let God find us because then we might need to change.
What does it take to let God find us?
Sit in Stillness
Most of us find it hard to sit still. We are distracted by images and sounds that demand our attention and make it hard for us to focus on the God who still longs to walk with us each day. Busyness makes us feel important and in control.
New Year Resolve: set aside 5 minutes each day to sit still in the presence of God. Find a comfortable chair to sit in. Plant your feet firmly on the ground. Sit with your hands relaxed in your lap. Take some deep breaths in and out and allow the peace and patience of God to surround and fill you. Sit still for as long as you can and imagine God sitting with you and filling you with the divine presence. What thoughts and images come to mind?
Listen to the Silence
Meister Eckhart says nothing in the universe resembles God more than silence. If that is true its no wonder we have a hard time drawing close to God. Silence is very hard to find in our world today so we need to deliberated look for places and situations that speak to us of silence.
New Year Resolve: learn to identify and listen to the silence. What images come to mind when you think of silence? Perhaps it is the stillness of a dark, windless night, looking up at the stars or enjoying the tranquility in the air after a storm. Or perhaps it is the quiet in the house after everyone else has gone to bed. How could you in this coming year, harness these times as opportunities to listen to the silence that reveals the presence of God?
Rethink Your Perspectives
I am currently reading John O’Donohue’s The Four Elements. In the forward his brother Pat, talks about befriending rocks which blocked his way as he walked and allowing them to set him free onto a new path. He comments They only become obstacles if you can’t find your way around them. I love that perspective. Obstructions in our paths are not obstacles they are necessary path changers.
New Year Resolve: rethink one perspective you have about God and one perspective about yourself. Last year I established 3 new habits that have transformed my life. My mantra: begin with gratitude, focus on hope, celebrate with joy, has stood me in good stead over this year of transition. It has transformed my impressions both of God and of myself. I am sure it will continue to do so over this coming year.
Take time to prayerfully consider a word or phrase that you can use on a daily basis as an anchor for your relationship with God. Perhaps, like me you want just a few words that you can continually come back to, or if you are feeling adventurous, you might like to choose one for each month of the year.
Let God Find You and Transform You.
To let God find us we must be willing to let go of control of our lives and allow God’s nature, God’s purposes and God’s ways to permeate our being. To come out of hiding into God’s presence means to immerse ourselves in God’s love and to expose ourselves to the penetrating gaze of the One who already knows all our imperfections. It means allowing ourselves to be transformed until the image of God emerges in all its glory from within us.
Francis Thompson’s The Hound of Heaven is the most powerful poem I know that depicts our tendency to hide from God. Listen to this reading of the poem the ask yourself: What will it take to let God find me?
Take time as the new year begins to reflect on your own faith journey. How close have you God to come to you? Are there places where you are still hiding from the light of Christ? What would it take for you to come to a place of new birth where the life of Jesus shines out through you in new ways?
All of us celebrate the end of one year with a mixture of joy and sadness and look forward to the new with both hope and fear. As we stand on the edge of a new year today let us do all that we can to make sure that hope and promise triumph over sadness and discouragement.
Many blessings for 2017.
Andy Wade —
As I reflect over this past year with Mustard Seed Associates I am filled with thankfulness.
I see God’s shalom flooding our little community as the outgoing MSA board and incoming transitional board met for a common purpose, to move us faithfully into the future. The grace, support, and encouragement of the outgoing board was simply amazing. To Mark Mayhle, David Vandervort, and J.Paul Fridenmaker, a hearty thanks for years of support and guidance!
Our incoming board has poured hours into walking us through this process of change. Greg Nelson, Forrest Inslee, Andi Saccoccio, Greg Abell, and Derek McNeil have contributed invaluable guidance, insight, connections, and encouragement. We simply would not be where we are today without their leadership. My heart is overflowing with gratitude.
Our leadership transition from Christine to me began on August first and is now complete. I could not have imagined a smoother or more gracious transition of leadership. I am truly indebted to Christine and grateful for her friendship and direction over the years.
August also marked the 25th MSA Celtic Prayer Retreat. In 2017 we are planning for major changes to the retreat, including partnering with other organizations to expand and deepen our time together.
Finally, our Godspace Community Blog continues to inspire, encourage, and challenge as writers from nine different countries bring their unique insights to living as followers of the way. 2017 will see significant changes to the blog that will enhance our readers’ experience and facilitate deeper interactions between authors and between readers and authors.
I am grateful for the vision and leadership of Tom Sine who planted the first mustard seed, a seed which would grow and flourish into a tree providing shelter and fruit around the world for over 25 years. I am grateful for his voice challenging and speaking into my life for more than thirty years.
- I am grateful for Christine’s unique leadership style, which shaped MSA into the organization it is today.
- I’m grateful for the many board members over the years who helped support and guide MSA along this journey.
- And I’m especially grateful for all of you, faithful friends and fellow mustard seeds, growing hope, peace, healing, and love in neighborhoods around the globe.
Shalom,
Andy Wade
Director
Mustard Seed Associates
In many ways this week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day is a week caught in the middle. In the Christian calendar the new year started with Advent. And yet by the Gregorian calendar the old year is still coming to a close. It seems this is an excellent opportunity to look both backward and forward.
As Christians, there’s another way we are caught in between times. Christ has come and his Kingdom has infiltrated the present time. The world is not the same, as God’s power and love shatter the darkness and open for us a new way to live. And yet there is still brokenness, pain, division. All is not well, even though everything has changed. We see this reality in the world around us, and we see it within ourselves.
This week between Christmas and the New Year reminds us of this mystery: Christ is born yet the impact of this truth has not yet fully transformed our world. Now is a time for honesty as we wrestle with how to unravel what this means. The Apostle Paul captured this well when he lamented:
For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. Romans 7:17-20 – The Message
Jesus has died and risen. The Holy Spirit fills our lives. And yet, we still struggle right along with the world around us. Let’s take this time to reflect. But let’s not reflect as those who have no hope. Let’s look for God’s in-breaking into our lives and communities. Let’s reflect in ways that empower us to trust God more even when we don’t get it right. Let’s reflect in ways that move us closer to God’s intentions for shalom and further from our inclination toward self-interest.
Looking back, where have you seen God at work this past year:
- In your life?
- In your family?
- In your neighborhood and community?
- In God’s world?
At each intersection of faith and life mentioned above, what has made your participation in this change possible? What has hindered your participation?
As you reflect on this, look forward. How might you better join the in-breaking of God’s Kingdom during the coming year? What do you need to be aware of and change to more courageously and effectively join with God and others to bring the light, joy, peace, love, hospitality, and celebration of God’s Kingdom:
- In your life?
- In your family?
- In your neighborhood and community?
- In God’s world?
This short reflection is not so much an invitation to make New Year’s resolutions as it is an invitation to a deeper level of discipleship, spiritual formation, and living more intentionally into the Kingdom of God already present yet still coming in its fullness. This is also an invitation to join with others in discerning the way forward. We do not walk alone, we walk together as communities of faith.
Seize the moment, this moment in between times. Take advantage of this holy space between Christmas and the New Year and discover new ways to spread the love of God to the world around you.
For some of us at least, if we are really honest, we would rather ignore the part in the Christmas story about Herod’s massacre at Bethlehem. Enough to manage the shock of God’s outrageous risk in entrusting the rescue of his world (and universe) to two unknowns – at least one a teenager – and the precarious nature, especially at that time, of childbirth. How do we begin to process the cost not just to God, but to the nameless families in Bethlehem?
It is not just the historical outrages that we shun, however. Aleppo, the Yemen, countless other places where babies and children die at the hands of our violence and greed – our senses and emotions feel assaulted by the horror and so we close down the emerging thoughts and feelings (and often silence the TV or skip sections in the paper).The reaction is understandable, in our perceived helplessness. The scale of suffering causes our compassion to implode: if we felt the full pain of it we would, surely, be subsumed with grief?
I have no answer. But I do wonder if it may help us, whether looking back to Herod or out to our world, to remember that this is essentially the story of individuals. Each one unique, known to God, and loved by him, however different from that it must feel in the maelstrom of pain.
Perhaps a little like this…
Grandmother in Bethlehem
I wasn’t ready to become a grandmother.
Somehow it signalled so much:
The gradual dwindling of my own youth
Cemented by this one act:
Denial of my own mortality
Somehow eroded by this new title.But then I saw him
And it all changed.
Tiny toes, first blue
From traumatic delivery
Then glorious pink
And my heart burst
With relief and pride
And deep protectiveness.
A love like no other.I was holding him
When the soldiers came.
Never had I so cursed
Female weakness.
I tried to hold him,
Screamed as they pushed me aside
Like the has-been I felt.I would have died to save him.
And now I only wish I could.
This post is part of our reflections on Advent and Christmas 2016.
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