Epiphany, an ongoing season of eyes wide open

 'Til the season, of . . . epiphany, which has somehow come to mean a very individual big-idea insight, rather than a conspicuous manifestation of a reality. 

So in deference to the original meaning of the word, this is the season after Christmas, when magi traveled from Iran before it was being bombed, because their careful ongoing eyes-wide-open study of the nighttime sky led them to conclude a once-in-a-lifetime regime change for the known world had been set in motion by a royal birth west towards the Mediterranean. At extreme effort and expense, they mounted a caravan and spent weeks on the road towards a murky destination. And became the tangible moment that Christ's birth story's significance crossed borders, exploded to be relevant to all the nations, not just one.

"Heed" is a key word in this story. The tale starts in motion, because of attention. They had to heed the star-sign. Not everyone notices a new configuration of the galaxy-distant lights. Their awareness of the impending change, their finding a path they had probably never passed over, their questions of a bewildered court, were all active pursuits of opening their vision to new horizons, to the ancient truths taking new forms. 

"Pour" is another, upon arrival they showered Jesus' family with gifts that befit his kingly status. Heeding led to relinquishing. Precious metals, precious products, in an era where the spice trade and the gold trade were the mobile money and banking. These were not given out of an endless fringe of abundance, they were treasures they parted with to honor the occasion. Costly. Bestowed. Entrusted. 

"Detour" is the last key to the story. After heeding led to journey, and pouring led to treasures transferred . .. they were required to react to a changing scenario, to danger, to embrace a new path and plan. As Middle Eastern royal sages themselves, who studied and financed and acted . . they were perhaps more used to being in control than to being redirected. Dream-warnings needed heeding in the end, and they chose to NOT fulfill Herod's expectation of a return report, but to depart a different way.

The frozen river we cross to go to church

These wise humans set a pattern for our own millennia of post-Christmas wait for the baby to reign. 

Eyes open to heeding the ongoing work of God, which is often obscurely messy and disguised at the weakest margins, we begin 2026. Yesterday a long meeting with our leader in Uganda, trying to discern the complications of contradictory interpretations of our tax status, mourning severe illness and loss in friends we've known for decades, weighing out how to be faithful. Then this morning a letter from that team that fills the picture in with lives impacted. Same in Kenya, and Burundi, and all our Area. Very real challenges, and very real goodness. Seeking wisdom to heed God's merciful, true, calling.

From Boas Opedun, in Uganda

So we pour out hours in calls, meetings, emails, documents, payments, agreements and ideas. Not our favorite way to work, but the season's cost nonetheless. Most of our days stretch in an office, with some punctuation of distant meetings we must travel to, or more frequent medical appointments to attend, or family issues to be present for at last. And as we pour out this phase of our lives, we ask others to do the same, raising money for the very similar magi purposes of blessing babies who face danger, by BundiNutrition and Christ School support. 

Scott presenting at a Serge leadership meeting two weeks ago

And detour is the name of the game in 2025, spilling all the way through 2026 too. We wanted to be Area Directors who were present with our 11 teams in 6 countries, controlling our caravan's plans. Instead we are reacting to death threats and finding new paths. As are all at some level. The world spins into 'might makes right' and into the 'wealthiest drain the poorest', with fewer of the restraints that have limited evil through our lifetimes. Adapting to new road blocks and new open doors becomes essential.

    

At the Serge office, sporting the coat Julia made me for Christmas

Epiphany's root is the word "shine". Shine on, display, come into view. A star is best seen in the darkness of night. May Jesus' love, truth, hope, all be best seen in us shining our small lights in 2026.