“As for you, But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.” Micah 5:2 (NRSV)

I was born during the blizzard of 1977. My mother tells me that is why I love snow. I don’t know if it’s true, but I know that loving snow is part of who I am.

I love stepping out on the porch to take a deep breath of snowy morning air. I love the quietness of the evening after a fresh snowfall – looking out over the hills, seeing lights burn warm in the neighbor’s windows. At other times there is noise, traffic and to-do lists. But in these, there is freshness, peace, and moments to bestow fresh blessings on my neighbor.

There is something true and clear about these moments, and I crave them. Then, I wonder if that is what Epiphany is–a time when all unnecessary things fall away and what is left is a time of clarity, a time of blessing and hope – a time for the Messiah.

The Magi traveled for this clarity, for Hope guided by a star. I wonder what it was like to be there and breathe in that moment? I look above the snow and see the Epiphany star. The air is clear. It is the time.

My prayer is that this day you have space to breathe deeply in the hope of the Messiah.

Juliet Focken, Omaha, NE (LDA Board Member)