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Stephanie Rische

Blogger and Writer: Capturing Stories of God's Grace

January 6, 2016

What Nobody Tells You about Epiphany

candleEpiphany. I learned the word from Mr. Heagney, my English teacher, two decades ago, and I’ve been smitten with it ever since. Not only does it dance off the tongue nicely, but the meaning itself is magical: a sudden illuminating discovery or idea; a revelation; the moment the proverbial lightbulb goes on.

Epiphany is a remarkable day on the church calendar too: the holiday marking the revelation of God’s Son to the Magi. This was one of God’s brightest ideas ever: Heaven breaking through to earth. Darkness being trounced by starlight. Kings bowing down before the true King. Hope busting through in the most glorious way.

I long for epiphanies myself. I yearn for the lightbulb to go on, for my fuzzy thinking to clear. I’m desperate for that creative idea, or for the key that will unlock my confusion or doubt or fear. I want to see a star from the east and drop everything to follow. I want a sign.

I’ve had a few moments like that in my life. Micro-revelations, perhaps, but glimpses of the divine nevertheless. Yet those moments are rare. Most days there are no stars in the night sky, no signs, no epiphanies. Most days I’m just treading along a dark path, half-hoping, half-praying that I’m headed in the right direction.

What they don’t tell you about epiphanies is that the star doesn’t stay in the sky forever. After the Magi visited God Incarnate, they headed back to their own country, back to their ordinary lives. Maybe their hearts were irrevocably changed, but life went on.

So what does it look to live out Epiphany even when there’s no miracle at the moment, when the star has faded in the night sky?

That’s when it’s time to hold on, my friend. What you saw when you glimpsed the divine—it was real. What you felt in that moment when God touched your heart—it was valid. The words of hope you heard whispered in the middle of the night—they were true.

So keep believing in the epiphanies. Keep looking for them. They will come. But don’t depend on them. Because faith means holding on to the fact that heaven broke through earth, even after the star has dimmed and you have to go back to your ordinary life. Faith means remembering that miracles are true, even when it’s been some time since you witnessed one firsthand.

Faith means holding on to Epiphany even when there’s no sign. It’s choosing to light a candle when the starlight has faded.

Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.

Frederick Buechner

12 Comments Filed Under: Faith, Seasons Tagged With: Epiphany, faith, Frederick Buechner, incarnation, miracles, ordinary, signs
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About Stephanie

I think that glimmers of grace are all around us, and I'd love to share those stories with you. I hope you'll grab a cup of coffee and join me at StephanieRische.com.

Quote of the Week

“Some things have to be believed to be seen.”
—Madeleine L’Engle

Discussion

  1. Linda says

    January 6, 2016 at 1:39 pm

    So lovely, Stephanie. As usual. Thank you. (And I love seeing your book on your website!)

    Reply
    • Stephanie says

      January 6, 2016 at 2:34 pm

      Thanks, Linda! 2016 used to sound so far away… 🙂

      Reply
  2. Brooke says

    January 6, 2016 at 6:06 pm

    So beautiful. Thank you for these truths and reminders 🙂

    Reply
    • Stephanie says

      January 21, 2016 at 5:28 pm

      Thanks, my wonderful friend!

      Reply
  3. Kathryn O'Brien says

    January 6, 2016 at 6:26 pm

    Just happened to find this (which would be true if I actually believed in “just happened to’s” haha. Glad God led me; especially enjoyed your wise words about ephiphany. So good.

    Reply
    • Stephanie says

      January 21, 2016 at 5:29 pm

      Oh, I’m so glad you found me here, Kathryn! Serendipities!

      Reply
  4. Simonne Braden says

    January 6, 2016 at 9:06 pm

    This hit me hard because it is so true: “What they don’t tell you about epiphanies is that the star doesn’t stay in the sky forever.” I’ll be mulling that over for awhile, thank you!

    And a shout out to Heagney. Love it.

    Reply
    • Stephanie says

      January 21, 2016 at 5:29 pm

      Thanks so much for stopping by! Blessings to you in this new year, Simonne.

      Reply
  5. Maggie says

    January 6, 2016 at 10:04 pm

    So much to chew on in this beautifully written post, Stephanie. For some reason I stopped getting notifications when you posted new content, so I just registered again. Mail Chimp has been monkeying around with me, and I have missed your posts!

    Reply
    • Stephanie says

      January 21, 2016 at 5:37 pm

      So sorry to hear that happened, Maggie! Thanks for re-registering!

      Reply
  6. EVA KRISTIAMAN says

    January 10, 2016 at 2:39 pm

    So true! And I love your writing, Stephanie. Have a very blessed and fruitful New Year 2016! Congrats for your book published! 🙂

    Reply
    • Stephanie says

      January 21, 2016 at 5:36 pm

      Thank you so much, Eva! Blessings to you in 2016 as well!

      Reply

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