Guided by Light at Epiphany

On January 9, our community gathered in St. Mary’s Chapel to celebrate the Service of Epiphany, a moment in the church year that invites us to pause, look up, and remember that light has always been present. Woven throughout the service was our January theme of perseverance and a shared focus on light as a guide, a promise, and an invitation.

As Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning filled the chapel, we were reminded that Epiphany is not only about remembering a story, but about recognizing how that story continues to unfold in our own lives. Our prayers, hymns, readings, and rituals were intentionally connected, moving us from creation to light, to the story of the Magi who followed a star with trust and perseverance. 

We began where the Gospel of John begins, at the very beginning. Through an ancient text paired with contemporary poetic reflections, we listened for God speaking across time. Before stars and rivers, before shepherds and Magi, before dreams and angels, love was already at work. The Word was present, and that Word was light. A light that shines in the darkness and is never overcome.

 

One of the most meaningful moments of the service was the distribution of Star Words. This practice, tied to Epiphany and the new year, invites each person to receive a word rather than choose one. Inspired by the Magi who followed a star without knowing exactly where it would lead, Star Words serve as a spiritual companion for the year ahead. They offer focus, challenge, encouragement, and, at times, discomfort. They ask us to listen and to trust.

As a community, we were reminded that Star Words are not about instant clarity or easy resolutions. They invite reflection over time. They may affirm what we already sense God calling us toward, or they may gently nudge us in an unexpected direction. Wherever they lead, the journey belongs to each of us.

Our Epiphany celebration also included the ancient tradition of chalking the doors. As the symbols and letters were marked on the doors of St. Mary’s, we were reminded that Christ’s presence is not confined to a single moment or a single place. The chalked blessing served both as a sign of welcome and as a commitment to carry God’s love beyond these walls and into our daily lives and relationships. As we processed to We Three Kings, Star Words in hand, the connection between the journey of the Magi and our own hope for guidance in the year ahead became clear.

Throughout the service, student leadership was visible and strong. From readers and acolytes to musicians and those who chalked the doors, many voices and hands shaped this sacred time together. It was a living reminder that light is shared and that perseverance is practiced in community.

As we move forward into the new year, we carry with us the words we have received, the prayers we have spoken, and the light we have named together. We are invited to place our Star Words in a place where we will see them often, to reflect on their meaning, to explore their roots, and to notice how they echo through scripture, music, poetry, and daily life.

Epiphany reminds us that the light still shines. It always has and it always will. May we have the courage to follow it, wherever it leads, and the perseverance to trust the journey along the way.