“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you!” Isaiah 60:1 (NIV)

This Isaiah passage is one of the traditional texts that would be read at an Epiphany service in a liturgical church. 

Epiphany falls on January 6 in the West, however, the date for the Eastern Orthodox churches is not until January 19,  I mention that because … I have a lot of friends in Eastern Europe, I’ve been ministering there every year the last 19 years. So shout out to you guys watching or listening Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, and Russia! Love you guys! “Slava bog. Slava domnului. “

Wikipedia says “Epiphany [also known as] Theophany, Little Christmas, or Three Kings Day, is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ.”

According to Strong’s biblical concordance, the word Epiphany comes from the Greek word Θεοφάνεια (epiphaneia or theofáneia) and means appearing, manifestation, or glorious display, especially of a divine being.

Robert Webber in Ancient-Future Time would say that traditionally, there are three primary stories from scripture that are examined during this period.

1. The Magi or “Wise Men” (Matthew 2:1-12)

2. The Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22)

3. The First Miracle of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana. (John 2:1-11)

In addition, the calling of the Disciples, his early teaching, and miracles. That’s basic territory we will be covering in the next sessions.

But for today, I want you to receive the calling of the scripture we opened with for the present season in your life.

“Arise, shine, for your light has come,

    and the glory of the Lord rises upon you!” Isaiah 60:1 

You see, the spirit and the focus of these devotionals are not just studying the life of Christ as he was made manifest or appearing, “His epiphany”, but also that the Spirit will give you fresh revelation your own personal epiphany. An “ah-ha” moment.

Maybe other words we could use would be “awakening” or breakthrough.

Now, according to Webster’s dictionary, the word epiphany also means:

  1. a sudden perception of the essential nature or meaning of something
  2. an intuitive grasp of reality through something (such as an event) usually simple and striking
  3. an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure

My friends, my encouragement for you is to be bold for the purposes of God in your life. To arise means to respond and say yes to the promptings of the still small voice of Holy Spirit. That’s Psalm 46:10.

And then shine. Radiate the joy of the Lord with the energy of God. Do it in your “regular everyday ordinary lives” (Romans 12:1, The Message).

That’s what Brother Lawrence talked about in “Practicing the Presence of God”.

Example. So the other day I am at Kroger and I’m stocking up food for the great blizzard in Nashville and something in the Holy Spirit just came over me, and I was just praying and praising God as I was walking around in grocery store! And then I made it a point to try to smile, and be pleasant and encouraging to the girl checking me out. Cause that place was crazy stressful. Man, that’s sort of what I’m talking about.

The season of Epiphany is the Christian’s response to the good news, the revelation of God with us.

The words of the prophets have come true, and are in the process of becoming true.

Webber says it like this:

“ These texts speak of the fulfillment of prophecy. The prophecy is that the once distant glory of God will become a presence to the whole world.” Ancient Future Time p78

Epiphany is a season to shine forth. To let the “glory of the Lord become a presence through you – to the whole world.” 

May joy of the Lord Jesus overflow in all we say and do. 

Let’s Pray:

Jesus, You truly are the light of the world, and the only hope that we have. I pray that your spirit would arise upon all who meditate upon your word words and that we would shine forth your love your joy your peace – for the blessing of the nations.  In the mighty name of Yeshua, and for the glory of Father Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

Daily WorsDaily Worship Devotional Podcast with Rob Still photohip Devotionals is a 5-minute podcast dedicated to studying the Word of God and hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit. Currently, we are following the Christian year calendar as our framework. We’re in the season of Epiphany – the Season of Light and exploring the early life of Christ. Join us on the journey!

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