Epiphany, the Church – Guest Post by Molly Noble Bull

We home church now. But I attended Epiphany Episcopal Church in Kingsville, Texas, from birth until the age of six. Then we moved to nearby Corpus Christi, and I would like to share something that happened in Corpus Christi at about the age of eight. I think you will find it interesting.

It was around 1942, and World War II raged on. Gasoline, sugar, meat, shoes, and other products were rationed. Few toys for children were being manufactured, and rubber products and nylon stockings were not available at all.

I dreamed about owning a rubber ball and a yellow, rubber balloon on a string.

We lived near the six points shopping area and attended Church of the Good Shepherd every Sunday morning, and since gasoline was rationed, we made Sunday a special day. We drove downtown to church in the family car or caught a bus at Six Points. After church, we had a fish dinner at a café on the bay, went to an afternoon movie downtown— either the Ritz or the Center Theater, and came home.

I remember how big and fancy-looking Good Shepherd was compared to my little wooden Church of the Epiphany. The altar and choir area was set apart from the rest of the church building by a filigreed partition made of black iron that you could see through. Half the choir sat on one side of the altar, and the other half sat facing them with an aisle down the center going up to the altar. The podium where the pastor stood when giving his weekly sermons was on the congregation side of that see-through partition.

I never understood a word the pastor said in those sermons. He used big words that I didn’t know the meaning of at that time.

During the sermon, I would start on the far left side of that black iron filigree, and slowly, I would allow my eyes to travel over every inch of it. When I finally got to the far right of the partition, the sermon would be over.

I knew the pastor was saying something important, but I had no idea what he was talking about. However, I prayed during or after my slow inspection of the black filigree. I remember telling God that though I didn’t understand what the pastor was saying, someday I would understand, and that prayer was answered because today I understand sermons given by pastors.

God is good.

When I was in the fourth grade we moved back to Kingsville and attended Church of the Epiphany again. One of the things I remember most about services in that little church was that the Hebrew blessing, found in the Book of Numbers chapter six and verses 23 to 27, was given often—perhaps every Sunday. At the time, I knew it was important. Now, I know just how important it is to hear that blessing, and I try to put my hands on the heads of my loved ones and friends often while saying that blessing aloud. I heard that the Rabbis say when you bless someone using the blessing in Numbers chapter six, God is blessing you, too.

Here it is:

May the Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

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You can learn more about me and my writing at my website: Molly Noble Bull and Lillie’s recent interview with me.

I have a new book out that I wrote with four other published novelists. The book is titled The Overcomers: Christian Authors Who Conquered Learning Disabilities by Ginny Aiken, Margaret Daley, Jane Myers Perrine, Ruth Scofield and me, Molly Noble Bull.

Yep, I’m dyslexic.

The book tells about growing up in Kingsville with a learning disability and overcoming, but only with God’s help.

If you might be interested in reading The Overcomers and/or telling others about it, click below. The Overcomers is the book with the yellow cover and available in paperback and as an e-book.

The Epiphany of Our Lord

The Epiphany, or the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, comes at the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Although people sometimes think the Twelve Days of Christmas come before Christmas Day, they really occur after Christmas and lead up to Epiphany, which commemorates the visit of the Magi  from the East to the Christ Child. These Wise Men followed a star that led them to Jesus. They were the first Gentiles (non-Jews) to worship Christ.

O GOD, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant that we, who know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ~ Collect for Epiphany, 1928 Book of Common Prayer

photo credit: Wonderlane

Do You Plan to Read the Bible in 2012?

Do you have a plan to read the Bible during 2012? I try to read the Bible every day, following a plan for the year. Usually I try to read the entire Bible in one year, though sometimes I follow a different plan and read the New Testament in a year or read the entire Bible over more than one year.

In 2011, I read the Chronological Bible in the English Standard Version. I like to read the Chronological Bible periodically to read the Bible in the order events occurred, rather than in the order they appear in the Bible. I find it especially interesting to read the Psalms in the sequence of when they were written in relation to events that happened. Psalm 51 becomes even more meaningful when read immediately following the story of David’s adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah.

In 2010, I followed a devotional, For the Love of God, that included daily readings of several chapters each from the Old and New Testaments.

This year I plan to read the Bible from beginning to end in the American Standard Version. I’ve never read the entire Bible in this version, so I’m looking forward to it. I find I make new discoveries and come to new understandings every time I read the Bible, and varying the reading plan and version gives me new perspectives.

If you haven’t already decided on a Bible reading plan for the year, you will find a variety of plans at Bible Gateway, Bible Reading Plans, YouVersion, and Back to the Bible.

And if you are new to regular Bible reading and the thought of reading the entire Bible in one year seems overwhelming, you can read a chapter a day. Or read for ten minutes a day—however much you can read in that time.

Whatever plan you choose, I encourage you to read the Bible regularly in the coming year.

photo credit: Jemimus

Unto Us a Child Is Born

May God richly bless you and those you love on this holy day when we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.

Enjoy the video of this classical rendition of Unto Us a Child Is Born from Handel’s Messiah based on Isaiah 9:6 and performed by the Choir and Orchestra of Pro Christe from the album, Messiah-Christmas Highlights form Handel’s Enduring Masterpiece.

Christmas 2011

John 1:1-14 (ESV)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

GOD, who makest us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of thine only Son Jesus Christ; Grant that as we joyfully receive him for our Redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold him when he shall come to be our Judge, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

May God bless you and your loved ones as you worship Him in spirit and truth on this day in which we celebrate Jesus coming to earth for our salvation.

photo credit: Janet Beasley = JLB Creatives

Devotion for Christmas Eve

Matthew 1:18-25 (ESV)

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Heavenly Father, we praise You and bless You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to save us from our sins. Immanuel—God with us! Father, Son, and Holy Spirit with us always and forever—thank You! In the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

photo credit: IABoomerFlickr

Devotion for the Fourth Friday in Advent

Titus 2:11-14

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Lord, we wait for the blessed hope of Jesus’ return. Teach us to say “No” to worldly passions and to live self-controlled and righteous lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Devotion for the Fourth Thursday in Advent

Revelation 22:3-7 (ESV)

3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.6 And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.” 7 “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

Praise God that Jesus is coming. Maranatha, Lord Jesus! Amen.

Devotion for the Fourth Wednesday in Advent

Luke 1:39-45 (ESV)

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Lord, give us the same degree of faith as Mary and Elizabeth, who believed Your Word before it was fulfilled. We have seen Your Word fulfilled, and we celebrate that fulfillment at Christmas. We pray in the name of Him who was born a babe to grow into the Savior who would die for our sins.  Amen.

Devotion for the Fourth Tuesday in Advent

Luke 1:46-55 (ESV)

46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Heavenly Father, Mary was so young and faced with a situation that must have been confusing and frightening. Yet she praised You and recognized that Your plan was perfect. Give us that kind of faith—so we praise You in all circumstances, even those that are frightening and confusing. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, ever  one God, world without end. Amen.

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