Epiphany: Arise, Shine; for your Light has Come!

The eastern sages saw from far 
And followed on His guiding star;
And led by light, to light they trod 
And by their gifts confessed their God. LSB 399 v.2

We celebrated Epiphany this year in a couple of different ways. We continued our tradition (started last year) of "chalking our door" for the coming year. Russ led us in a simple liturgy, blessing our house in the coming year as Calvin and Evelyn used chalk to write "20 + C + M + B + 26" to hang over our door.  The letters CMB have historically been thought to represent the traditional names of the wise men (Caspar, Melchior, Balthazar), but they also stand for "Christus Mansionem Benedicat" which means Christ Bless this Home.

I love seeing this blessing every time I walk in our house! 

Because we don't typically have midweek services outside of Advent and Lent, our church celebrated the Feast of Epiphany on Sunday.

As a bonus, we were able to attend Risen Savior Lutheran in Basehor on the Day of Epiphany.  I was excited that the kids were still out of school for Christmas break so we could attend as a family.  They have two services on Feast days, and we attended the morning service since Oliver had a basketball game that night.  It was a beautiful service and I'm so glad we were able to go!

Their Christmas decorations were beautiful, as was the entire church.  The pastor gave one of the poinsettias to Violet before we left.

I love the season of Epiphany, when we read about the wise men and hear once again how Jesus came for ALL people, the Jews as well as the Gentiles.  Thanks be to God for this gift!

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh; Come, peasant, king, to own Him.
The King of kings salvation brings; Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise the song on high, The virgin sings her lullaby;
Joy, joy, for Christ is born, The babe, the son of Mary!