Epiphany

We three kings of Orient are,

Bearing gifts we traverse afar

Field and fountain, moor and mountain,

Following yonder star...

Oh, star of wonder, star of might,

Star with royal beauty bright,

Westward leading, still proceeding,

Guide us to thy perfect Light.

Today around the world many people are celebrating Epiphany, the day the three kings arrived at the stable bearing gifts for the baby Jesus. It is always celebrated on January 6th, the 12th day of Christmas.

In fact, in some countries presents are not given on Christmas Day, but at Epiphany instead. The three Magi, or Wise Men, brought gifts of gold, to represent Jesus' Kingship in Heaven; franincense recognized his Divine nature since we use incense to bless things and when we pray; and myrhh which foretold Jesus' death as man.

Epiphany means 'an appearance or showing.' Jesus was shown to the world, as a King, when the Magi found Him in Bethlehem. They represent the whole world looking for Jesus.

Years later, Jesus was shown to be the Son of God at His baptism at the river Jordan. When his cousin, John the Baptist, baptised him in the river, the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, appeared over his head. God's voice was heard to proclaim, "This is My Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

Jesus was also shown to be Divine, God Himself, when He changed water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana. That was His first miracle!

More ideas to help celebrate Epiphany can be found at Domestic-Church.com

Search 'Exploring Epiphany.'

Luke 1:26-38 The Birth of Jesus Foretold

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord be with you."

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

A Leap of Faith

Hello world, here I am! Today is my first blog posting, ever. I have been inspired to share my life with you, and I'm hoping you will do the same with me. My postings will generally fall under the headings of faith, family, friends, food and fun, and many will overlap.  I'd like to thank my family for their help: my husband, David, who is always willing to advise on a new project; our daughter, Olivia, who has led the way with her own blog, Just a Running Fool; and our son, Grady, who is endlessly patient with all things Mac.

Most of all, my inspiration comes from above! From God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. From all the saints and all the angels in heaven, and from all the "saints-in-the-making" living out our lives here on Earth. We all live...Under Angel Wings!