Christmas is put away – or at least I have made a dent. Its slightly earlier than normal. I always struggle with putting it away – you know – out of sight, out of mind. And who really wants to put it out of mind? Or even should?  We are so often in a hurry to put it all up and then in just as much of a hurry to put it back down. Sad. I usually wait at least until Epiphany to take it down – the day that celebrates the arrival of the Magi and their bestowal of gifts upon the holy child.

So, I am compromising. The wise men get to stay up for now – along with the obligatory camel that always must accompany them. I love the wise men and all that they represent. Educated, but not unteachable. Having arrived at their station in life, yet willing to journey, to follow their curiosity, to dream of a better kingdom far off and foreign, to be resident aliens in search of a better way. Brave enough to question kings, wise enough to outsmart those same kings. To be beckoned by a celestial anomoly enough to not just wonder, but to actually set out – embark – seek out – discover.

That is who I want to be. Not set, not closed, not wooden and self-righteous. But brave, teachable, wise, curious, smart. Maybe that is why it is called epiphany.