Today begins Epiphany. For my kids and I, it first means that tonight we will move our 3 kings to the nativity set. It means that the little statues that have been roaming around the living room finally get to meet their child King. For my kids who have been waiting for the visit of the kings, it feels like it’s been forever since we set up the nativity. We can’t even imagine how these wise men felt. They wandered after their star for a while, maybe up to a couple years. It’s a good thing they didn’t have kids with them or else they might have been hearing “are we there yet??” for months!
But traditionally Epiphany is so much larger than a visit from the Magi. It’s not just  a day, it’s a season.  Advent is done, the twelve days of Christmas are over, we are finished waiting for our messiah. Now it is time for the life to start. This is a season that begins with the Magi, but Jesus’ mission is continually revealed in this season with his miracles, baptism and call for followers. And now that call extends to us. As we read these familiar stories we should hear his call on our own lives.
So as I tuck my Christmas decorations back into the attic this weekend (except for the nativity – can’t take that down when the kings have only JUST arrived!) I won’t be sad to see them go. Instead we’ll be listening closely and preparing for this next season.
In addition, here is a link to Christine Sine’s blog about Epiphany that has affected me.