Epiphany – When the Mask Comes Off

Last night on The Masked Singer. ‘Pegasus’ sung that wonderful song from Oklahoma:

Oh, what a beautiful mornin’
Oh, what a beautiful day
I’ve got a beautiful feelin’
Everything’s goin’ my way

… but she sung it badly and was eliminated. When the mask was removed Pegasus was revealed to be Bake Off judge Prue Leith.

Today, 6^th January, is ‘Epiphany’, the day when Christians remember the wise men visiting the Christ child.

An ‘epiphany’ is a moment of sudden understanding; a suddenly consciousness of something important… Epiphany remembers and celebrates that, through the wise men, the identity of Jesus was revealed. The mask was removed… sudden understanding. This young boy was seen to be the Son of God.

Yesterday in church Lou reminded us of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Lucy’s a little anxious when  Mr and Mrs Beaver explain that Aslan’s a lion…

Mrs. Beaver says, “if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”
“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “…Who said anything about safe? ’Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

Lucy’s understanding is coming gradually; she’ll have a full epiphany when she meets Aslan for herself.

This morning I’m reading Genesis. Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac. Arrives at a well outside a town he prays: ‘May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac.’

Rebecca arrives; his prayer’s answered. It’s an epiphany; the mask’s removed. He sees Rebecca not as just a local stranger, but Isaac’s wife.

Musing on my epiphanies… masks removed… perceiving Jesus’ identity… God’s character… understanding answers to prayer… seeing each morning as beautiful.