The weight of glory
On this winter morning I rise early to curl up in my favorite chair, to greet the dawn, and to gaze at our lighted nativity set. This morning is Epiphany Sunday—the first Sunday after the first day of January—and yesterday marked the feast of the Epiphany, the day in the liturgical calendar that follows the twelve days of Christmastide. This means that Christmas is officially over, and it is officially time for the lovely lighted spruce tree in the corner of our living room to be taken down. But I feel reluctant this year to pack up the Christmas decorations. I am glad to have a rest from a full calendar, from presents and special meals and celebrations. My dear ones and I don’t need any more toys or cookies or chocolate. But I do need more of Jesus. I don’t want to pack away the nativity set because, like Mary and Joseph, I want to keep looking at the face of the baby in the manger. I want more of Emmanuel, the God who is with us, the Word who became flesh and made his dwelling amo
