January 2026 Greetings from the Lay Leader's Corner:
Greetings from the Lay Leader's Corner. January is here, and with it the culmination of the Christmas season. The “twelfth day” of Christmas, Epiphany, brings the season to a close. The sixth of January is the Feast of Epiphany and is often celebrated on the Sunday between the second and eighth of the month (the 4th this year). For most of us, when we think of Epiphany, we think of the Magi, the Wise men, or three kings from the East coming to adore and present gifts to the baby Jesus. The Greek word Epiphanios, from which Epiphany comes, means “showing forth”. Thus, Epiphany is the celebration of Christ's manifestation (showing forth) to the Gentiles (the Magi). In some traditions, it commemorates the baptism of Jesus, another form of “showing forth”. In either case, Epiphany is both an ending and a beginning. It is the point between leaving behind the old and stepping into the new. It is where many of us find ourselves this time of year and at significant points in our lives, letting go of the past and grabbing onto the future. Where are we going from here?
To answer that question, we often must first have an “epiphany”, a sudden flash of recognition, according to my dictionary. Have you ever pondered a problem or situation over a period of time to suddenly have the solution or a resolution just seem to pop into your head? To me, that is just God's way of giving us a nudge in the right direction. But that “epiphany” is for naught unless we use that nudge to stir us to action. Often, even seemingly small actions can have far-reaching effects. Consider some of the service programs in our community that started as an epiphany put into action: food pantries, free community meals, clothing pantries, recycling, mentoring, homeless shelters, and the list goes on. The resolution to any problem starts with the actions of an individual. What nudges will you put into action this year?
An “epiphany” can also come at a time of reflection or realization. A time to count our blessings, to stop and “ praise God, from whom all blessings flow”. As we take time at the dawn of this new year to reflect, let us not forget the blessings God grants us through our relationships with others. Not only our family and friends, but all those who affect our lives, in whatever way. Like stagehands behind the scenes who are not noticed by the audience, but without whom the play cannot go on. There are many people unseen by us, who make our life as we know it, even possible. Each is a blessing. Even the ones in our lives whom we deal with on a regular basis but drive us to distraction, or always seem to fall short of our expectations, or slight us in ways they do not even realize are still blessings. Because if we look at ourselves, we are one of those people to someone else. We all need to forgive, just as we all are in need of forgiveness. Because it is only through forgiveness that we receive grace. That should not be an “epiphany,” but sometimes it's good to remind ourselves.
Epiphany only comes on the sixth of January each year, but an “epiphany” can happen any time.
Consider what you will do the next time God gives you a nudge.
Grace and Peace be with you,
Your lay leader,
Timothy Locker, Sr.