His star rises up before us here

 The word epiphany means a revelation.  Here is a small and simple example.  Sometimes on a dull, cold winter’s day, a break appears in the thick layer of cloud, and through it we catch a glimpse of a radiant sun.  All too soon, however, the break is covered up, and the sun disappears once more.  But that short glimpse of a brighter and warmer world can do wonder for us.  The mere memory of it can work its magic on our spirit.

Daily life is full of little epiphanies for those who have eyes to see and minds to reflect.  They slip in through the cracks in our busy armour – a moment of peace, or of beauty, or of goodness.

Like the Magi, on this feast we have come to worship the Christ-child.  And, again like the Magi, we have to go back to our homes and get on with our ordinary lives.  But hopefully we will see those lives differently, because we see ourselves differently.  In the divine Child, we see our own divinity.

People sometimes travel long distances in search of spiritual experiences which they could have in their home place.  We don’t have to travel anywhere.  His star rises up before us here.  Because of the coming of Christ, we need no longer fear the darkness.  A light has come into the world, a light that shines in the dark, a light that no darkness can overpower.

Copyright New Sunday & Holy Day Liturgies – Flor McCarthy, SDB