Reflection on John 1:29-32

In American churches, most people would say that the two most important holidays are Easter and Christmas.  It is around these church holidays that people try to make it to worship; around these holidays that communities try to organize activities like Easter egg hunts and Christmas office parties; and around these holidays that families gather together to enjoy the company of one another around a big meal of turkey, prime rib, ham, fried chicken, or lamb depending on your region’s traditions.  But, did you know that these are not the most important holidays for all Christians around the world? 

Strange at it may seem, the most important holiday for Eastern Orthodox Christians is barely celebrated by us. 

What were you doing the evening of January 5^th and all day on January 6^th? 

Nothing. 

Nothing of religious significance anyway I venture to guess.  Many of our churches do not even have worship on the 6^th of January…one of the most holy of days for the Eastern Orthodox Church.  January 6^th, of course, is the celebration of Epiphany and the Baptism of our Lord.  The two celebrations are one and the same for the Orthodox community.

Sure, we celebrated Epiphany a day early during worship on the 5^th and got our star words for the year, but did any of us go to worship that evening and the next day?  Did any of us gather the family for a big meal?  I did not think so.  So, what is so special about Epiphany for the Orthodox community?  The hint is actually in our scripture reading about John the Witness (John the Baptist as we all know him). 

But, before we get to that, let us look at some of the traditions that come out of the Orthodox community on Epiphany. 

A big tradition is the blessing of the holy water.  Each family is given blessed holy water in a small jar that they take home.  The pastor uses this same water a few days later to bless each family’s home. 

When the pastors actually bless the water, many Orthodox communities gather on the shore of a body of water in a similar way that people did when seeking John the Baptist’s ministry. While on the shores of the body of water, the pastor throws a cross onto the water, thus blessing it. 

The men are invited in a swimming race to see who can retrieve the cross first.  The winner’s family will be specially blessed for the year.  It is kind of like an Easter egg hunt with all the pushing and shoving, but it is for grown men.  A few days later, that water gathered during that ceremony is sprinkled throughout each family’s home.  It is a watery blessing, reflecting the holy light of Jesus which pierces the threatening darkness of the world. 

Families have huge celebrations on the day their house is sprinkled, with everyone joining in singing Epiphany hymns while the children dance and giggle through the falling drops of water.

Speaking of those special Epiphany hymns, in an tradition similar to Victorian Christmas caroling, people go from home to home, singing these hymns and expecting some food or money in return.  The more religious types of people donate what is collected, giving it to people in need.  But, whether you donate or keep it as a holiday bonus for yourself, the story of the start of Jesus’ ministry is spread by song throughout the community and provides hope to all.

In one community in particular, the evening of January 5^th has a particularly poignant celebration.  After blessing the waters in the church, the pastors lights a singular candle. From that holy light, the congregation members light their own candles and then carry those candles throughout the entire community as they walk home.  As they spread throughout the community, they share that light with the rest of the people in town, lighting even more candles within homes (Christian or not) in a silent act that displays Jesus’ love for the whole world.  The light of the world has come.

Keeping in mind that image of light spreading to all corners of the community, we can see that everything done during these Epiphany celebrations is done in order to point to the one who saves: Jesus Christ.  Epiphany in no way celebrate John the Baptist, however, they do, in every way, try to model him. 

And, what exactly are they trying to model?  We can see clearly if we look at the gospel reading for today.  Throughout the gospel reading John continually points, not to himself, but to Jesus. 

"Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” 

“A man who ranks ahead of me…” 

"I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.” 

"He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” 

"Look, here is the Lamb of God!" 

In ancient works of Christian art, John the Baptist is always portrayed as pointing.  No, he is not pointing in condemnation like your Grandma used to point at you whenever you were caught with the hand in the cookie jar, (Why do I know that look so well?) rather John is pointing to Jesus.  His whole life is one that points to Jesus. 

That is what these Orthodox Christians find so important about Epiphany.  It is all about Jesus.  The light that banishes the darkness…that is Jesus.  The sharing of that light is the sharing of Jesus.  The haphazard sprinkling of water throughout the community is the haphazard sprinkling of Jesus throughout the community. 

It is all about Jesus.  In all we do, we point to Jesus.

I think it is kind of fun to see how other Christians point to Jesus throughout the world.  They have races through blessed water.  They sprinkle homes with the love and the ministry of Jesus.  They share the light with everyone until the whole community is bathed in Jesus’ light. 

This is so much more wonderful than knocking on a stranger’s cold door and asking the question, “Do you believe in Jesus as you personal Lord and Savior?” 

All of these community activities assume that Jesus is for everyone.  And, that is probably because scripture says that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.”  God loves the world.  Jesus' love is not just for believers.  And, all of these community celebrations points to Jesus and his love.  He is our light in the darkness.  He is our cleansing water.

There is one other phrase from this gospel story that I love.  The phrase upholds the importance of gathering together to celebrate Jesus.  It is a simple phrase, but it is also profound.  It is a phrase that can guide you when you want to share the love of Christ, but do not know how.  It is a phrase that points to Christ and relies completely on him rather than our own gifts or dazzling abilities.  It is a phrase that you can say to anyone who seems to be seeking more for their lives than a world of darkness.  It is a phrase straight from the lips of Jesus, so it has got to be good.

“Come and see.”

The first people who are pointed in the direction of Christ by John the Witness are invited to “Come and see.” 

“Come and see” where Jesus dwells. 

“Come and see” who Jesus is.

“Come and see” why Jesus is so important in our lives. 

“Come and see.” 

It is an easy phrase to remember; “Come and see.”  Try it out.  There are plenty of people in this community who would benefit from coming and seeing the love of Jesus.

In all the ways that you celebrate Jesus, may it all be an invitation for people to “Come and see.”  Because, when people come, they do see.  And, as the light spreads throughout the community, the people will see Jesus, the Savior of the world.