By The Rev. Chris Harris
Despite the gloomy weather at the moment, I think the season of Epiphany is one of the most beautiful seasons in the Christian year! It’s the season when the Church proclaims that Christ’s light has come into the world—not for a select few, not for the powerful or the religious insiders, but for everyone.
And, it is a season when we remember that God’s light is meant to be seen—and reflected—through the lives of ordinary people like you and me.
In this week’s sermon, I explored how the Magi followed a star into an unknown future, trusting that the light would lead them to the One who brings hope, healing, and new life. And we asked a simple but life‑changing question: How might we shine Christ’s light in the world over these next five weeks?
Not in grand gestures or heroic acts necessarily, but in the real, everyday choices that shape our lives and the lives of those around us.
Below are seven practical, prayerful ways you can live Epiphany this season—ways to let Christ’s light shine through you, right where you are.
Sometimes the smallest shift in attention becomes the greatest act of love. Take notice of someone you too often take for granted—a coworker, a neighbor, a family member, the person who bags your groceries. Get curious about their life. Ask about their hopes, their dreams, their story. Let them know they matter. Try to see the Christ in them, and notice how doing so, helps you to see the Christ in you.
Who has been lingering in your thoughts lately? Someone who had a hard Christmas? Someone you need to make amends with? Someone you know it’s been too long since you last talked and now it’s become awkward? Take a chance and see if Christ’s light might break through whatever it is that is holding you back. And see if that phone call, handwritten note, or a coffee date can shine a beam of light in the darkness.
Epiphany is a season that pulls us outward. The Magi took a great risk, embarking on an unknown journey, and then later betraying Herod to protect the vulnerable Christ child. Where might you stand with those under threat or suffering injustice? Is there a place where your time, your skills, or your expertise could help lift the voices of those who have none? Christ’s light shines brightly when we stand with the vulnerable and the margins become no more when we inhabit them. What’s a population or a cause that you are passionate about? Who is doing something already? How might you contribute?
Is there a ministry you’ve been curious about but haven’t yet tried? A way of serving that keeps tugging at your heart? Take a look and give something a try!
Or maybe this is the season to make a pledge for the first time—not out of obligation, but out of the conviction that together our light shines brighter than any of us can shine alone.
Become a member of Christ Church Cranbrook this season – add your time, talent and treasure to our community and see how much more we can do together!
Some of us are already stretched thin. If that’s you, Epiphany may be inviting you to set something down—to release the busyness, the fear of missing out, the commitments that drain rather than nourish. Make a list of the things you are doing that are not blessing you or anyone else. What can you cut out? What can you let go of? Binging Cable News? Doomscrolling the internet every morning? The average American spends 7 hours a day on the internet, if that’s you, consider giving two of those hours to God and see how it changes your life and the world around you. Pruning makes room for new growth. It lets your light shine more clearly in the few things that truly make your heart sing.
Not every act of discipleship requires a new program or a new commitment. Sometimes it’s about intentionally bringing the humility and compassion of Jesus into the things you already do every day:
What might it look like to intentionally pause for just a few seconds before these everyday moments, and offer a little prayer such as, “Jesus, let your light shine through me as I am about to …” And see how Christ can take the ordinary and make it extraordinary!
Finally, maybe Epiphany isn’t about us at all! Maybe it’s about helping someone else discover their light. Is there a friend, a neighbor, a coworker who might be longing for connection, meaning, or hope? Someone who was moved by something you once shared or posted? Someone you’ve been meaning to invite to church?
Invite them to join you in something life‑giving—not because you have all the answers, not because they “need” what we have, but because you’ve glimpsed in them a light worth sharing. And it doesn’t have to be about inviting them to our worship service. It could be a service project, a book study, morning prayer, or one of the many ‘side doors’ into our community. Scan our weekly Communicant with an eye for who you know, might be interested in something that’s coming up and let God do the rest.
Need some help thinking of ideas? I would love to meet with you – here’s a link where you can set a time to meet. I’d love to help you discern where God might be calling you.
And here’s one last piece of advice: Whatever stirs in you this season, don’t wait for the perfect moment or the perfect plan. Pray on it. Sit with it. But try something! Get some momentum going! Set out on your own journey into an unknown future whose path you cannot yet see, but one that will always lead you to the feet of our newborn King.
Epiphany is not just a story about wise men following a star. It is a story about the choices we face every day—as we stand at the crossroads between two very different kingdoms.
May we choose the road that leads us forward into the kingdom Jesus came to reveal: a kingdom where the lowly are lifted, the hungry are fed, the stranger is welcomed, and every person is cherished as a beloved child of God.
May we shine our light more brightly than ever—until all the world is drawn to the brightness of God’s new dawn.