Friday, January 5, 2018

EPIPHANY, TWELFTH NIGHT, OR THREE KINGS NIGHT

I haven't been blogging because I am at that point again where everything needs to change. I plan on going to wordpress with all of my blogs, but I may start new ones and just archive these.

But tonight the Light of Epiphany was stronger. There is always illumination, gifts from far away places (or faraway places to take a gift to) on this night.

This Light, this illumination, is available to everyone that wishes to receive it.

You know what no one ever talks about? In the Jesus story, not only is there no room at the Inn on December 24th, Mary, Joseph, and the wee Babe are still in the manger on Twelfth Night, when the Magi finally find them and deliver their precious gifts.

Tonight, I have lit the candles and made offerings. But two candles this year, in particular, have my attention. One, for the homeless. Two, FOR A FUCKING REVOLUTION. Jesus H. Christ, We The People, are you FUCKING SERIOUS? Are you really okay with this fucking shit-show and clown circus?! Take over your government! You don't need to be violent.

Is this shit really okay with you? You-who labour? You-who struggle? You- who create the profits? Make 2018 the year you give a gift to yourself! Healthcare, wages, etc. Take this illumination, this gift, and make a decision about what kind of future you want for your children.

Unto us a child is born/ Unto us a son is given/ And the Government shall be/ shall be upon his shoulders/ And his name shall be called Wonderful! Counselor!...”
(Handel's Messiah, quoting the New Testament.)

That Son (Sun) is YOU.

Below is the prologue to my as of yet unfinished book about Epiphany.

THE NIGHT OF THE MAGI

January 6th is the last day of the Christmas holidays in the Western Gregorian calendar. It is sometimes called “Twelfth Night” because it had been 12 days since the celebration of the birth of Jesus.

It is said to be the night that the wise men, the Magi, found the Christ child. And not a moment too soon, for they had been wandering, lost in the desert, and had almost given up hope.

They gave to the infant Jesus offerings that rich priests and kings brought to the Temple altars: myrrh, frankincense, and gold.

The Magi gave these gifts not because an infant would have any use for them. Or even because these things were valuable and could be traded for food and shelter.

The Magi brought these gifts to show how meager was earthly wealth compared to the miracle of life, and the promise of hope that a child brings to the world.

In the Roman Catholic and many Orthodox churches this Night of the Magi, Twelfth Night, is also called “Epiphany”.

An Epiphany is a manifestation of a God on earth, in human form, like Jesus. It is also an unexpected, bright illumination of thought, an idea or feeling, that brings innovation, or understanding and clarity.