Aha!

Today is Epiphany.
A few thoughts dart through my day.


Why is Christmas so short (12 days) and Advent so long? (4 Sundays before Christmas, and all the days up to Christmas--at least 27 days, I think) We celebrate the birth and babyhood for 11 days. The gifts of the Magi-the inclusion of us ousiders ...then Jesus and his family flee...and the next Sunday we are celebrating the Baptism of Our Lord---that baby is all grown up and thirty something. Then we have the Season after the Epiphany, which lasts until Lent begins.
 The Isrealites had waited thousands of years for the Messiah to come. Mary and Joseph for thirty five weeks or so prepared for this baby, this promise. The Magi set off to follow that star and wandered in a set path for two years--give or take.It is when the outsiders-the magi-figure out who Christ is...it is when the Christmas story opens up for those outside of the Israelite clan. The Holy Family fled to Egypt and lived there for about a decade-right? Not one of these players in the Christmas story ended up where they had begun to journey--things were just different in the end. And the timing of things is as confusing as the jouneys they were on.


Just like this church calendar. But then I look at this all with a mother's heart. Preparing for that firstborn...those thirty some weeks were long and hope-filled, I remember. Many things had to change, many things had to be prepared and finished. Much time was spent in prayer. And much more time was spent in just wondering, and dreaming. Looking back, the babyhood and childhood of my three offspring was filled with excitement, anticipation, awe, wonder, delight, tears, fear, heartache, longing, curiosity, activity, rest....Those years disappeared more quickly than the months I carried them.
And here we are, watching and waiting as these young adults begin their journey as their own.

We have the whole rest of the Church Calendar--and the regular calendar too to finish what has begun. Epiphany is that short time just before the solo flight. It is when our paths begin to become obvious. 
I think about the Magi. Learned men from afar who were filled with knoweledge of the heavens, and of those outside of their community and faith systems. They were awe filled at this star inthe heavens...and had to follow it. So excited--Reminds me of watching my kids whose brains are full of learning...thinking they know where they are going.
Reminds me of me...so ready to go...but so off course so often.

I guess I should go put away those Christmas decorations...time to move forward.

The Beginning

Even wanderers have to start. And although wandering seems to be without a point or a plan....well you've got to be going somewhere to get off trail--and open enough to wonder at where you have landed.
So begins this blog. I begin because I need to be still. This blog is a type of reflection and journal. But I need people....I'm not yet good at doing things just for me. I need interaction and responses from others. so this blog allows for that. Not sure if anyone else will ever read what I write, but if you do, please share your wondering about my wanderings.