The Second Sunday after Christmas in some countries Epiphany
Yes you did read the heading correctly it is the second Sunday after the feast of Christmas and we are now almost at the arrival of the Three wise men on Epiphany which takes place on Monday 6th January or in some countries on Sunday the 5th. By long standing sacred tradition Christians celebrate Christmas as a season, with the twelve days between Christmas and the Epiphany as one long “Christmas feast.” The season ends with the Baptism of the Lord which is also the first Sunday of ordinary time and that takes place next Sunday.
Epiphany means manifestation. What the Church celebrates today is the manifestation of our Lord to the whole world; after being made known to the shepherds of Bethlehem He is revealed to the 3 kings who have come from the East to adore Him. As Christians, we will very often find ourselves living in contradiction to the styles and preferences of the present age. The present age which presents I want I get as the normal thing. Regrettably we have to get used to the fact that we will face conflict among friends, and even at times within families, as we seek to live out and the Christian life more generously in word and deed.
May we not be afraid in the year that has just begun to seek the wisdom that God wants for us, that is the wisdom and the light of faith so that we will have the wisdom of the three wise men to follow the star which is Jesus the light.
Fullerton T 