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Epiphany Eve
January 5, 2026
Proverbs 9:1-6|Psalm 119:65-72|James :1-10|Mark 12:18-27
Epiphany comes from the word epiphaneia, meaning to reveal. Epiphany Eve has us waiting in the darkness for the revelation of the fullness of Light. It is the time of celebration of the star that led the Magi to Jesus. Just as the star revealed the path to Jesus’ birthplace, Jesus – the Light of the World – reveals to us the path to heavenly glory. As I read the scriptures for today, little nuggets of light shone forth with insights on how to walk with God’s love and Jesus’ light guiding us.
Today is also the celebration of a group of women known as the Desert Mothers, early Christians of Egypt and Judea who lived monastically in the 4th and 5th century. They lived life simply, embodying our Proverbs reading, encouraging us to “lay aside immaturity and live, and walk in the way of insight.” The writer of Psalm 119 asks for discernment and knowledge so we may keep God’s word. James, addressing the behavior of early Christians, calls us to submit to God, to “draw near to God,” and live humbly. Mark reminds us that our God is not a God of the dead, but of the living. Each author shines a light in our darkness to show us the way.
The church I grew up in celebrated the Feast of Lights on Epiphany. The service began in total darkness. As the story of Jesus’ birth and ministry was told, the light would get a little brighter until all the lights were on and we would be sent out into the world to be God’s light in the darkness. I remember keeping my candle lit and bringing it to someone in my neighborhood who was sick or a shut-in so they might have the Light of Christ. As the years pass, I have seen both darkness and light in our world – are we any different today? Jesus calls us to be Light in a world of darkness, but first we must allow Jesus to fill us with the light of God’s love.
For me, as a child, that lit candle symbolized God’s love – for it shone through the dark night into my birthday. I would awake and see “my candle” knowing that God loved me and would walk with me every day. In the darkness of Epiphany Eve, I still look forward to lighting a candle on epiphany and looking for God’s little nuggets of light in scripture to guide my way – looking for the Light of Christ to shine on and within me.
Cindy Lovejoy
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