Epiphany Joy, Transformation, Roads

 

Overwhelmed with Joy

Transformed

By Another Road

Epiphany is the great celebration that reminds us that Christ was born for everyone. The journey of the magi is our story, it is about encounter, it is about discovery, and it is about new life.

The above three phrases stand out for me this Epiphany. The first and third one are taken from the gospel of Matthew (2.1-12) and the second one came from reflection, hearing one of my brothers preach and the realization that the magi had to be transformed after encounter Christ. They simply did not just come to drop off presents because they were late for a birthday party, no they encountered a gift far greater than the ones they brought.

Overwhelmed with Joy.

Just these three words alone sound wonderful. They are full of life, they summarize the birth of Christ beautifully for those who first encountered him that night. Just think of the shepherds, the curious town folk, the wise men – how the drudge of their lives was transformed because of the baby in a manger.  

Overwhelmed by joy should also be how Christmas still touches our lives today. As we are in the early days of this New Year and as we look back on our Christmas celebrations, we must ask ourselves what overwhelmed us with joy this Christmas and this past year?

We are so often overwhelmed with burdens, worries, struggles, problems and pains we forget to look at what overwhelms us with joy. For me as a ponder these last few weeks alone, I am overwhelmed with joy that I had time with my family, I enjoyed moments with my nephews and nieces, my Grandparents, Godparents, Godchildren and relatives and at the same time I am overwhelmed with joy in the quiet moments I spent by the Christmas tree and crèche. Joy is so powerful, it is a sister to hope and love and is infused in our days. May the year ahead be one that overwhelms us with joy!

Transformed.

I know how my own life has been transformed time and time again. I know how each Christmas transforms me as I encounter the birth of Christ in a new way, as I hear a part of the story as if for the first time and as I look ahead to the journey of a new year. Being transformed can be a scary thing, it can be challenging, it should always be life-giving.

I think of the three wise men, how they simply were looking for a king to honor and how upon encountering a baby in the manger their lives must have be filled with new meaning, a fullness that had been missing, an answer to questions they didn’t know how to ask.

I don’t always like praying with being transformed, yet I know it is part of the Christian journey and part of seeking the Christ Child in my life. When I stop and ponder transformation it leads me to greater discoveries and deeper encounters with Christ. Christ only desires to transform me and each one of us into the fullness of the person God  has created us to be.

By Another Road.

I think this is the most beautiful part of the story of the Magi. That because of their encounter with a baby; with the Christ Child overwhelming them with joy and transforming them they knew that they must go about telling their story by another way. And in case that wasn’t enough God used a dream to confirm what they had encountered.

We are each called to go by another road, especially after an encounter with Christ. The start of a new year is a great time to ponder the paths we have travelled and what new ones we are being called to take. Which roads have led to dead ends and which are just beginning to emerge? Which are going to be challenging and life-giving and which are going to consume our energies and steal our life? Like the wise men the choice is ours on which road we will take.

By another road does not mean easy or simple, but by another road because of Christ does mean a path that leads to the everlasting kingdom.

As Epiphany leads us deeper into 2017, may the light of the Christmas star shine brightly on our new paths, may joy continue to overwhelm more of our days than not and may we be open to transformation when we encounter Christ in our daily living.

Praise the Lord, all you nations!

Christ manifested in the flesh,

Christ justified in the Spirit.

Christ contemplated by the angels,

Christ proclaimed by the peoples.

Christ who is believed in the world,

Christ exalted in glory.

Praise the Lord, all you nations.

- based 1 Timothy 3.16 (from Evening Prayer 1 for Epiphany)

Blessings of hope, peace, joy and love

as we walk into 2017 guided by the light of the world:

Christ Jesus - Emmanuel!