Our Epiphany

Let me begin by wishing my youngest son, Bishop, a very happy birthday!

I love you and look forward to celebrating your birthday tomorrow when Daddy gets home!

So, today we celebrated Epiphany.

The table is set in the liturgical colors of dark blue and purple, the spiced breads and apples are ready for serving,

and the magi are prepared for the final leg of their journey.

After reading Matthew 2:1-12, the boys placed the wise men in the nativity.

"From the East came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures, they offered costly gifts: gold to the Great King, incense to the true God, and myrrh in symbol of his burial, alleluia!"

"O God, who by the guidance of a star did this day reveal your Only Begotten Son to the Gentiles, grant that we who know You by faith may be brought to the contemplation of the heavenly majesty, through the same Christ, Our Lord. Amen."

"O Lord, Almighty God, bless this house that it may become a shelter of health, chastity, self-conquest, humility, goodness, mildness, obedience to the commandments, and thanksgiving to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Upon this house and those who dwell herein may Your blessing remain forever, through Christ our Lord. Amen."

"May Christ bless our dwelling, and remain with us throughout the new year, and grant that our comings and goings will be in search of truth."

And so, we celebrated Epiphany and bring to an end the days of Christmas.

And as it ends I am reminded just how much I am in need of God's grace and mercy.

You see, the pictures and notes of my blog capture just a brief snapshot of our family and do not reveal the complexities of our relationships and a life lived together.

Certainly there was beauty in our celebration this evening but there were also relational irritations that make the above blessings even more poignant.

'O Lord, may our home please become a shelter of kindness and edification, of goodness, mildness, humility and self-conquest. And, O Lord, thank you so very much for your forgiveness and your gifts of grace and mercy; likewise, may we extend forgiveness, grace and mercy to those around us.'