A visitor among us

At unexpected times, in unsuspecting places-Christ comes to us

On this day of Epiphany, I find myself pondering Mary and Joseph, new parents of a most unusual infant-the Christ child! I consider the Magi, wise in the ways of the world were these fascinating and enchanting men who came to them. Imagine Mary and Joseph and their continued confusion: Angels astounding them months earlier with announcements of the birth; Magi surprising them with their visit and their fantastic gifts.

I'm stunned on this day of Epiphany as I vicariously live out Mary and Joseph's experience. Jesus' birth was again the birthing and rebirthing of the mystery of God-the supernatural infusion of God's life upon the natural, the God person coming to life in an unexpected moment in an unsuspecting place.

Christmas was special this year, not in the routine of the celebrations but in the magic in the midst of them: three uninterrupted days with my wife and sons-eating, gifting, praising and loving. Something enchanting happened, something beyond ourselves. Another Visitor was among us, bringing love, peace and joy to our hearts. The divine manifestation appeared, again: an epiphany.

But death shadowed. As I set the table for our holiday meal, I looked out the window and saw another family gathering across the street. I knew they were coming together to grieve. Their husband and father, my neighbor, was killed in a car accident two days before Christmas. Another friend, anticipating a wonderful holiday, was greeted as she got off the plane with the news that her sister had just died. Expectant hearts were changed to aching hearts.

Suddenly the window on my Christmas changed. My joy was obscured by sadness, good will tempered by another's despair.

Dissonance: The magic of life and the sorrow of death.

And Epiphany. God is present in our living and in our dying. God is present in all and through all. To be received unto our Creator means God is present in life, present in death. God is in our breathing in and in our breathing out-coming to visit us in unexpected times and in unsuspecting places.

In life and in death, God is. In life and in death, Christ is made manifest. In our joys and in our sorrows, God is with us. This is our Epiphany: God present.

Barsness is associate professor and director of clinical training, graduate psychology, at Seattle Pacific University and a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church, Bellevue, Wash.

Copyright Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Jan 2001
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