Do You See What I See? The Feast of Epiphany

Said the night wind to the little lamb
Do you see what I see?
Way up in the sky little lamb
Do you see what I see?
A star, a star
Dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite
(From “Do You Hear What I Hear?” by Gloria Shayne and Noel Regney

Today is joyous Epiphany! Did you almost miss it? Other people did...long ago. Although God chose to first reveal Himself to and through the Jews, the religious leaders were so busy deciding how many steps constitute work on the Sabbath that they didn't seem to care about the unusual star that appeared in the Heavens.Astrologers from the East, however, were watching. Led only by natural signs, not divine revelation, they were compelled to follow with open hearts. Hmmm...outright pagans found the Child. And at His feet they emptied their treasures and worshiped. Back in Jerusalem, the religionists still had their noses so glued to the right applications of Scripture that they missed the arrival of the Living Word.

Epiphany means "Manifestation; Appearing". The Twelve Days of Christmas have come to a close as the Church now turns her focus from the arrival of Christ in the world to His manifestation and revelation to the world--first, to the Gentile Magi and then at His Baptism.

The season of Epiphany begins tonight at sunset (the time of evening prayer) through the Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas) on February 2. In some cultures, the Christmas decorations and greenery are not taken down until Candlemas.

I grew up in a non-liturgical church and never heard of Epiphany, although Christians began observing it in 361A.D. However, it is important because it helps us understand the significance of the Magi’s worship, which can enrich our lives and witness in the world.I ask myself during this time, "What gifts did I give Jesus this past year? Were they the quality of the Wise Men's?

gold (costly)
myrrh (sacrificial)
and frankincense (a true heart of worship)

What about this year?

Can I leave my status and comfort, as they did, and travel to wherever God leads? Can I keep looking up, regardless of the difficult road before me? Can I humble myself before someone who appears "smaller or lesser" than me? Can I refuse the commands and enticements of a Herod? As a new year arrives, so does the opportunity to begin a renewed journey.

Epiphany also celebrates our Lord's "appearing/manifestation" as the Son of God as He stepped out of His baptism in the Jordan River and began His public ministry.

"Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?'

Jesus said to him in reply, ‘Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.' Then he allowed him.

After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove (and) coming upon him.

And a voice came from the heavens, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased'." (Matthew 3:13-17)

Epiphany observes beautifully Jesus Christ as Son of Man (identifying as one of us by becoming human in every way) to His unveiling as the Son of God.

So, what special celebrations are underfoot in the Goin household?

Honestly, I'm not much of a cook. But in years past, I’d call the bakery ahead of time and order a batch of star-shaped cookies, sprinkled with glittery-good sugar in three colors:

gold
red (frankincense-because it burns on coals)
blue (myrrh-although actually brown in appearance, it represents sacrifice. It was used to anoint bodies for burial; hence, the use of a “colder” color)Epiphany is celebrated is many colorful ways around the world:

The Dutch and Flemish call this day Driekoningen, while German speakers call it Dreikönigstag (Three Kings' Day). In the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and neighboring Germany, children in groups of three (symbolizing the three kings) proceed in costume from house to house while singing songs typical for the occasion, and receiving a coin or some sweets at each door. They may each carry a paper lantern symbolizing the star.

In some places, especially Holland, these troops gather for competitions and present their skits/songs for an audience. As in France, Koningentaart (Kings' tart), puff pastry with almond filling, is prepared with a bean or coin hidden inside. Whoever finds the bean in his or her piece is king or queen for the day. A more typically Dutch version is Koningenbrood, or Kings' bread.

In Britain, the celebration of the Night before Epiphany is known as Twelfth Night (The first night of Christmas is December 25–26, and Twelfth Night is January 5–6), and was a traditional time for mumming (a form of folk entertainment in which bands of masked and costumed merrymakers roam the streets singing, dancing, acting out stories, or simply engaging in horseplay) and the wassail. The Yule log was left burning until this day, and the charcoal left was kept until the next Christmas to kindle next year's yule log.

A traditional dish for Epiphany was Twelfth Cake, a rich, dense, typically English fruitcake. As in Europe, whoever found the baked-in bean was king for a day. Anything spicy or hot, like ginger snaps and spiced ale, was considered proper Twelfth Night fare, recalling the costly spices brought by the Wise Men. Another English Epiphany dessert was the jam tart, but made into a six-point star for the occasion to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, and thus called Epiphany tart.

In the German-speaking lands, groups of young people called "Sternsinger" (star singers) travel from door to door. They are dressed as the three Wise Men, plus the leader carries a star, usually of painted wood attached to a broom handle. Often these groups are four girls, or two boys and two girls for the benefit of singing their songs in four-part harmony, not necessarily three wise men at all.

German Lutherans often note in a lighthearted fashion that the Bible never specifies that the "Weisen” (Magi) were men, or that there were three. The star singers will be offered treats at the homes they visit, but they also solicit donations for worthy causes.

Germans eat a Three Kings cake which may be a golden pastry ring filled with orange and spice representing gold, frankincense and myrrh and forming a crown. Or they may be made of typical rich Christmas bread dough with cardamom and pearl sugar in the same seven-bun crown shape. As in other countries, the person who receives the piece or bun containing the trinket or whole almond becomes the king or queen for a day.

Epiphany is also an especially joyful occasion for the young and young at heart as this is the day dedicated to plündern – that is, when Christmas trees are "plundered" of their cookies and sweets by eager children (and adults), and when gingerbread houses and any other good things left in the house from Christmas are devoured.

The Irish call Epiphany the Feast of the Epiphany or traditionally Little Christmas or "Women's Christmas" (Irish: Nollaig na mBan). On the feast of the Three Kings, the women of Ireland in times gone by had a bit of rest and celebration for themselves, after the cooking and work of the Christmas holidays. It has long been a custom for women to gather this day for a special high tea.

Today, Irish women may spend the day shopping, take a meal at a restaurant or spend the evening gathering in a pub. Women may also receive gifts from children, grandchildren or other family members on this day. Other Epiphany customs are popular in Ireland, such as the burning of the sprigs of Christmas holly in the fireplace which have been used as decorations during the past twelve days.

In other countries, children leave grass and water by the door for the Magi’s camels on Epiphany Eve. They awake to find gifts from the travelers. House blessings are common on this day as well.

Johann Sebastian Bach composed two cantatas for the feast:

Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen, BWV 65 (1724)
Liebster Immanuel, Herzog der Frommen, BWV 123 (1725)

Part VI of his Christmas Oratorio, Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben, was also designed to be performed during the service for Epiphany.

And of course, we’re all familiar with “We Three Kings of Orient Are”, written in 1857 by Rev. John Henry Hopkins, Jr., an Episcopal deacon. (Wikipedia)

Regardless of the activities associated with the celebration of Epiphany around the world, the most important thing is why we choose to observe this special day: We are thankful for the call to "whosoever will" to come from afar and worship the Messiah.

In the middle of the world's turmoil, a light still shines; and as it has been said many times, "only the wise see it". Epiphany is a time to pray for wisdom--an ability to see and be led by God. It is a day to examine the goods we bring along on the journey...for just as gifts were laid at the feet of a lowly Child, so they will be one day be laid at the feet of our glorified King.

Have a blessed Epiphany! Enjoy your merrymaking, and may the Lord ever increasingly manifest in and through your lives in 2014!

The Feast of Epiphany: Do You See What I See?

Said the night wind to the little lamb
Do you see what I see?
Way up in the sky little lamb
Do you see what I see?
A star, a star
Dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite
(From “Do You Hear What I Hear?” by Gloria Shayne and Noel Regney)

Today is joyous Epiphany! Epiphany means "Manifestation; Appearing". The Twelve Days of Christmas have come to a close as the Church now turns her focus from the arrival of Christ in the world to His manifestation and revelation to the world--first, to the Gentile Magi and then at His Baptism.

The season of Epiphany begins tonight at sunset (the time of evening prayer) through the Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas) on February 2. In some cultures, the Christmas decorations and greenery are not taken down until Candlemas.

For many Christians, today’s observance will never come to mind. I grew up in a non-liturgical church and never heard of Epiphany, although Christians began observing it in 361A.D. However, it is important because it helps us understand the significance of the Magi’s worship, which can enrich our lives and witness in the world.

Most anger scenes include the Wise Men from the East, but they actually arrived about two years later to the house of Joseph (Matthew 2:11). Remember, Herod had male children two years old and under executed, hoping to kill Jesus in the slaughter.

How amazing to think that gentile royalty, led from afar, brought gifts and worshiped Jesus as the King of Kings. I always ask myself during this time, "What gifts did I give Jesus this past year? Were they the quality of the Wise Men's?

gold (costly)
myrrh (sacrificial)
and frankincense (a true heart of worship)

What about this year?

Can I leave my status and comfort, as they did, and travel to wherever God leads? Can I keep looking up, regardless of the arduous road before me?

Can I humble myself before someone who appears "smaller or lesser" than me? Can I refuse the commands and enticements of a Herod? As a new year arrives, so does the opportunity to begin a renewed journey.

Epiphany also celebrates our Lord's "appearing/manifestation" as the Son of God as He stepped out of His baptism in the Jordan River and began His public ministry.

"Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?'

Jesus said to him in reply, ‘Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.' Then he allowed him.

After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove (and) coming upon him.

And a voice came from the heavens, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased'." (Matthew 3:13-17)

Epiphany observes beautifully Jesus Christ as Son of Man (identifying as one of us by becoming human in every way) to His unveiling as the Son of God.

So, what special celebrations are underfoot in the Goin household?

Honestly, I'm not much of a cook. But in years past, I’d call the bakery ahead of time and order a batch of star-shaped cookies, sprinkled with glittery-good sugar in three colors:

gold
red (frankincense-because it burns on coals)
blue (myrrh-although actually brown in appearance, it represents sacrifice. It was used to anoint bodies for burial; hence, the use of a “colder” color)Epiphany is celebrated is many colorful ways around the world:

The Dutch and Flemish call this day Driekoningen, while German speakers call it Dreikönigstag (Three Kings' Day). In the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and neighboring Germany, children in groups of three (symbolizing the three kings) proceed in costume from house to house while singing songs typical for the occasion, and receiving a coin or some sweets at each door. They may each carry a paper lantern symbolizing the star.

In some places, especially Holland, these troops gather for competitions and present their skits/songs for an audience. As in France, Koningentaart (Kings' tart), puff pastry with almond filling, is prepared with a bean or coin hidden inside. Whoever finds the bean in his or her piece is king or queen for the day. A more typically Dutch version is Koningenbrood, or Kings' bread.

In Britain, the celebration of the Night before Epiphany is known as Twelfth Night (The first night of Christmas is December 25–26, and Twelfth Night is January 5–6), and was a traditional time for mumming (a form of folk entertainment in which bands of masked and costumed merrymakers roam the streets singing, dancing, acting out stories, or simply engaging in horseplay) and the wassail. The Yule log was left burning until this day, and the charcoal left was kept until the next Christmas to kindle next year's yule log.

A traditional dish for Epiphany was Twelfth Cake, a rich, dense, typically English fruitcake. As in Europe, whoever found the baked-in bean was king for a day. Anything spicy or hot, like ginger snaps and spiced ale, was considered proper Twelfth Night fare, recalling the costly spices brought by the Wise Men. Another English Epiphany dessert was the jam tart, but made into a six-point star for the occasion to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, and thus called Epiphany tart.

In the German-speaking lands, groups of young people called "Sternsinger" (star singers) travel from door to door. They are dressed as the three Wise Men, plus the leader carries a star, usually of painted wood attached to a broom handle. Often these groups are four girls, or two boys and two girls for the benefit of singing their songs in four-part harmony, not necessarily three wise men at all.

German Lutherans often note in a lighthearted fashion that the Bible never specifies that the "Weisen” (Magi) were men, or that there were three. The star singers will be offered treats at the homes they visit, but they also solicit donations for worthy causes.

Germans eat a Three Kings cake which may be a golden pastry ring filled with orange and spice representing gold, frankincense and myrrh and forming a crown. Or they may be made of typical rich Christmas bread dough with cardamom and pearl sugar in the same seven-bun crown shape. As in other countries, the person who receives the piece or bun containing the trinket or whole almond becomes the king or queen for a day.

Epiphany is also an especially joyful occasion for the young and young at heart as this is the day dedicated to plündern – that is, when Christmas trees are "plundered" of their cookies and sweets by eager children (and adults), and when gingerbread houses and any other good things left in the house from Christmas are devoured.

The Irish call Epiphany the Feast of the Epiphany or traditionally Little Christmas or "Women's Christmas" (Irish: Nollaig na mBan). On the feast of the Three Kings, the women of Ireland in times gone by had a bit of rest and celebration for themselves, after the cooking and work of the Christmas holidays. It has long been a custom for women to gather this day for a special high tea.

Today, Irish women may spend the day shopping, take a meal at a restaurant or spend the evening gathering in a pub. Women may also receive gifts from children, grandchildren or other family members on this day. Other Epiphany customs are popular in Ireland, such as the burning of the sprigs of Christmas holly in the fireplace which have been used as decorations during the past twelve days.

In other countries, children leave grass and water by the door for the Magi’s camels on Epiphany Eve. They awake to find gifts from the travelers. House blessings are common on this day as well.

Johann Sebastian Bach composed two cantatas for the feast:

Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen, BWV 65 (1724)
Liebster Immanuel, Herzog der Frommen, BWV 123 (1725)

Part VI of his Christmas Oratorio, Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben, was also designed to be performed during the service for Epiphany.

And of course, we’re all familiar with “We Three Kings of Orient Are”, written in 1857 by Rev. John Henry Hopkins, Jr., an Episcopal deacon. (Wikipedia)

Regardless of the activities associated with the celebration of Epiphany around the world, the most important thing is why we choose to observe this special day: We are thankful for the call to "whosoever will" to come from afar and worship the Messiah.

In the middle of the world's turmoil, a light still shines; and as it has been said many times, "only the wise see it". Epiphany is a time to pray for wisdom--an ability to see and be led by God.

It is a day to examine the goods we bring along on the journey...for just as gifts were laid at the feet of an Incarnate Child, so they will be laid at the end of our lives at the feet of our glorified King.

Have a blessed Epiphany! Enjoy your merrymaking, and may the Lord ever increasingly manifest in and through your lives in 2014!

Living by the Christian Calendar: How It Helps Me Stay Focused on the Author and Finisher of Another Year

 God created time and space, and gave them as gifts to His creation.

Such gifts bring order and definition to our universe, as well as a way to reference events that have already happened, things that are now occurring, and events yet to come.

Man was given the responsibility to manage these gifts.

You’re familiar with the phrase “Time waits for no one.” Time is the most valuable commodity we have; either we will waste it or invest it. We have only a measure of time on earth (Psalm 31:15); therefore, the greatest gift you can give to someone is your time. In essence, you consider that person worth the costly exchange.

The first Law established in the earth was the Law of Sowing and Reaping (Seedtime and Harvest--Gen. 8:22). If we make time for others (God first), the Lord will “stretch” our time--literally or figuratively. He will increase our productivity and effectiveness, and His blessings upon our use of time will result in what appears to be more “free” time.

“So I will restore to you the years (In the Hebrew, more akin to ‘opportunities’) that the swarming locusts has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust.” Joel 2:25 nkjv

Actual time wasted in sin and disobedience can never be regained. The consequences of our actions will leave marks upon time that others will reference. However, God in His mercy, who is the Lord of time and transcends it, offers to the penitent the restoration of many missed opportunities!

In an effort to use time wisely, man has invented many time-keeping devices--sun dials to printed calendars to gizmos with impressive bells and whistles. Whether managed electronically or by the “old-fashioned” ballpoint, the phrase “I’ll pencil you in” is Standard English (particularly in the West). Moms keep track of soccer practices, school plays, and dinner menus.

Dad skillfully manages his weekly work schedule, knowing that minutes, hours, and days translate into much needed income for his family. Children manage to “make time” for their extracurricular activities, but somehow lose that ability when it comes to managing homework deadlines. The saying, “We always seem to find the time for the things we consider important” is so true for all of us…at any age!

What about personal time with the Lord? What about time invested within the Christian community? These investments have a higher rate of return than all our other activities combined. We are eager to “pencil” in everything else, while our time with the Lord remains a flexible option.

Christians read in the Old Testament how God moved His people through a rhythmic calendar of seasons, feasts, and holy days that enabled the covenant community to stay focused on the spiritual in a material world. Some people say, “That’s no longer necessary”. I beg to differ. A church loosed from its ancient moorings is apt to drift through time. 

Modern Church life is often lived out incrementally--from Sunday to Sunday or event to event with no true sense of identity, why they worship, and where they’re going. There’s no link to the past…no connection to the now unfolding and future encompassing of the Kingdom of God.

Some time after the council of Nicea (A.D. 325), the concept of a Christian Year began to develop. It was designed to move around the person and work of Jesus Christ. Sadly, most churches today mark ecclesiastical time by who speaks from the pulpit, not Christ’s presence at the Altar. The modern Church calendar is packed with a flurry of diversely focused meetings, programs, and concerts--all designed to hopefully keep the busy family interested in “growing and going for Christ."

By contrast, the historic Church remains relatively faithful to the way the early Church marked time on earth and measured spiritual growth. Most of the elements of the Christian Year were combined together during the 4th and 5th centuries into the form we recognize today.

Very little has changed. You’ll find some feast dates rearranged in certain Communions, and the Scripture readings during the seasons will vary according to whether congregations use the Book of Common Prayer or the Revised Common Lectionary. Nevertheless, the focus of the calendar remain the same—teaching the Life of Christ.

The Christian Year begins on the first Sunday of Advent (the fourth Sunday before December 25). Festivals or “feast days” commemorate historical events in the life of Christ or in the experience of the early Church. Dates remembering the lives and contributions of the great saints and martyrs of the Church are also recorded in order for today’s faithful to emulate their courage and devotion to Christ.

The Seven Seasons of the Christian Year teach
the four major truths about Christ:
The Incarnation, The Atonement, The Resurrection and the Holy Trinity

Advent – Preparation
Color: Serum Blue (or purple) – the royalty of Christ as King
Significance: Begins the Christian Year/penitential season of reflective thankfulness
 for our Savior’s first coming as Servant and readiness for His return as Judge and King
Theme: The two comings of Christ to earth
Duration: It starts four Sundays prior to Christmas Day on the Sunday nearest November 30th and ends on Christmas Eve.
Lesser Feast:
St. Nicholas Dec. 6

Christmas – Celebration
Color:  White (or Gold) – the purity, holiness, and perfection of Christ
Significance:  Honors the birth of Christ
Theme:  The Incarnation
Duration:  It starts at the first Eucharist on Christmas Eve, ends on Epiphany Eve, January 5. It last 12 days (the Twelve Days of Christmas)
Major Feast:
The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ (Dec. 25)
Lesser Feasts:
St. Stephen (Dec. 26)
St. John (Dec. 27)
Day of the Holy Innocents (Dec. 28--a feast for the children who were slain by Herod. they were Christianity’s first martyrs)
The Holy Name (Circumcision and naming of Christ--January 1)

Epiphany – A Showing Forth
Color: (Major Feast Days are White/ordinary days are green)
Significance:  The appearance and revelation of Christ to the world, as seen in the visit of The Magi (Gentiles) to the Christ Child
Theme: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
Duration:  January 6 through the Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas) on February 2.
Feasts:
Feast of Epiphany (January 6)
Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ (1^st Sunday after Epiphany)
Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Jan. 2)

Ordinary Time after Epiphany
Color: Green– representing the renewal that comes from Christ
Significance: The Incarnation of Christ remains in the Church, as Jesus now continues His ministry through believers all over the world.
Theme: : “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27
Duration: Lasts from the day after Candlemas until Shrove Tuesday--the day before Ash Wednesday

Lenten – Repentance
Color:  Purple – represents penance, death, and Christ’s forgiveness
(During Holy Week the color is Ox Blood Red, denoting the shedding of Christ’s blood.)
Significance:  Introspection for the removal of sin
Theme:  Repentance, forgiveness, and restoration
Duration:  It lasts from Ash Wednesday through Holy Week--a period of 40 Days (excluding Sundays).
Major Observance:
Ash Wednesday (Dried palm leaves from the previous year’s Palm Sunday Procession are burned and the ashes are imposed on the penitent’s forehead.)

Holy Week Services: (Ox Blood Red)
Palm Sunday (“Hosanna!” Processional)
Maundy Thursday (means “New Commandment”/a day of joy because Christ gave us the Eucharist-Color is White)
Good Friday (Color-Black/Day of Atonement for our sins)
Holy Saturday (lasts until sunset)
The Great Easter Vigil (starts at sunset on Holy Saturday until Easter Sunday sunrise)
From the evening liturgy on Maundy Thursday through evening prayer on Resurrection Sunday is also known as The Paschal Triduum or "Three Days".

Easter – Resurrection
Color:  White (or Gold) – represents the purity, holiness, and perfection of Christ
Significance:  The bodily resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, conquering sin and death
Theme:  Joy and renewal through the resurrection power of the living Christ,
who has redeemed and brought us eternally home to the Father
Duration:  It starts Easter Evening and last 50 days until Pentecost.
Major Feasts:
Resurrection Sunday (Easter)
The Feast of Ascension (Christ returned to sit at the Right Hand of the Father, having finished the work of redemption. He now builds and governs His Church through the Holy Spirit until His bodily return to earth to rule.)

Pentecost—Keys of the Kingdom
Color:  Red – Life in the blood of Christ and a representation of the power that was made available to the Church…also represents the “tongues of fire” that rested upon the heads of those gathered in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost
Significance:  We celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit who saves, sanctifies, and empowers for service…the guide, governor, and guardian of the Church.
The Holy Spirit was given to the Church on the day of Pentecost. It was here Peter “unlocked” the Kingdom with the Keys of the Kingdom.
Baptismal candidates would wear white robes on this day, so Pentecost was often called “Whitsunday” or “White Sunday”. many Christian calendars, liturgies, and hymnals still use this term.
Theme:  The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
Duration:  Pentecost Sunday through Trinity Sunday
Major Feasts:
Trinity Sunday (White is the color) Observed the first Sunday after Pentecost
A time when we celebrate and ponder the majesty and mystery of our one God in Three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Kingdomtide – Ordinary Time (Manifesting the Kingdom in Everyday Life)
(Also called the Season After Pentecost because the Christian growth is dependent upon the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.)
Color: Green – represents the growing Christian life
Significance: The Kingdom of God is an everyday reality in our lives and should not be marked by high’s and low’s, but steady progress.
Duration: It lasts from the day after Trinity Sunday until the day before Advent.
Major Feast:
Transfiguration of Our Lord (white--August 6)
Christ the King (White--Last Sunday before Advent)
Lesser Feasts:
All Saints Day (White…Nov. 1—honoring the heroes of the faith from the Bible and Church history)
All Souls Day (White Nov. 2--a time to honor all of our loved ones who have passed from this earthly existence into the rest of our Lord.)

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32  nkjv

The above verse is often quoted with the word “set”, but notice Jesus “makes” us free. This suggests a period of time--a process similar to peeling or unwrapping. As the Holy Spirit helps us to understand, embrace, and activate truth in our lives it will ultimately--without fail--begin to make us free!

Kingdom truths are like exquisite diamonds with multiple facets. The closer we are to the treasure, the more facets we can clearly locate and examine. Moving around the diamond also gives up perspectives we could not see from a static position. The enemy likes to keep us stuck in a rut, but God wants us to go from “glory to glory".

The Christian Calendar keeps up focused on the four major doctrines of Christ as we repeatedly, year after year, move rhythmically through the seven fixed seasons. They, like the diamond, remain unchanged. However, we are the ones changing--growing ever closer, gaining new perspectives as the Holy Spirit removes layers of self and man-centeredness to reveal a Christ consciousness.

We observe the birthdays of our loved ones every year at the same time. Nevertheless, these celebrations vary in meaning from year to year, becoming more poignant and precious with the passing of time and changing circumstances. So does the passing of holy days during our pilgrimage on earth.

We don’t gauge our spiritual growth by reading the latest “end time” book or attending a healing crusade, but by whether or not we know Jesus better--more intimately--than ever before! We compare ourselves…not to each other, but to Christ as He is increasingly revealed through time in these doctrines of the Church.

I must ask myself: Do I have a greater personal revelation of Christ’s Resurrection this year? Am I walking in a Kingdom reality of Pentecost that I was not able to grasp last year? How have these truths been working progressively, faithfully in my life over the past year to “make” me free in Christ? Can I tell a difference? Can others?

Yes, the Christian Year is the same; but am I? David proclaimed:

“Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days that I may know how frail I am. Indeed, you have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is nothing before You.” Psalm 39:4-5a  nkjv

After David died the Holy Spirit proclaimed: “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep…” Acts 13:36  nkjv

May we all be wise redeemers and stewards of the gift of time. May it also be said of us that AFTER serving our generation by the will of God, we took off our watches, closed our calendars, and felt the eternal embrace of God!