A few weeks ago in a meeting with other district clergy, a question raised was, “Is Epiphany a day or a season?”

Technically, the Sundays following Epiphany (Jan. 6) are called the Sundays after Epiphany. I still like to think of them as a season. The liturgical color green is used until Lent begins, when it switches to purple, the color of royalty and penitence.

Green to me is a good color for the season. It symbolizes life and hope. During the season we see the new leaves and buds of nature as winter relaxes its grip on our northern hemispheric world.

Our incoming president has a daughter named Tiffany. The word is a contraction for “The Epiphany.” Unfortunately, with movies like “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” we associate it with material wealth and not spiritual health. The gold brought by the worshipful Wise Men on the first Epiphany is overshadowed by our pursuit of things material. I like to think of all epiphanies as golden moments. Epiphany is really anytime you have a golden, “Ah, ha!” experience. The word means manifestation. Sadly, the gold laid at the foot of the manger in worship of Jesus has been replaced by the worship of gold itself.

A reason I like to think of Epiphany as a season is that anybody can have an “Ah, ha!” experience. They can happen anywhere at any time. Reading scripture, after nearly 70 years on this globe, a new insight will bowl me over. A conversation with a good friend may do likewise. In writing, many times it’s when I go to make a cup of tea that just stepping away from the keyboard gives me a fresh perspective on the something. A nice shower will help put something new in my head.

One of my favorite examples was driving on an icy road. Snow, I don’t mind. Ice? That’s a different story. I once saw a newsreel from the Battle of the Bulge, which my father, thankfully, survived. A 35-ton Sherman tank was sliding on ice. One day as I was driving, I turned the radio on, and the 1970s Gospel song “Put Your Hand in the Hand” (with the refrain put your hand in the hand of the man who stilled the water) came on. I looked up and I saw with great relief a truck spreading salt or cinders. I was pleasantly the recipient of an “Ah, ha!” that day.

Epiphany moments can happen, without any preparation. However, I’ve always like the idea put forward the by Louis Pasteur. He said, “Chance favors the prepared mind.” I recollect as a lad asking my dad, “What’s the difference between knowledge and wisdom?” The old railroader told me, “Knowledge is what you learn, wisdom is what you do with it.” There are numerous spiritual disciplines that can be done and prepare you for Epiphany moments. Martin Luther would have counseled that when tempted, make the sign of the cross and pray the Lord’s Prayer. Taking three deep breaths was a technique taught me many years ago, when my spouse and I would lose our dads in the same calendar year.

Given my automotive story, allow me to share “The Hazel Automotive Theory of Spiritual Preparation.”

Consider your weekly trip to gas station. I’ve had a fuel pump go out while driving, so I’m grateful for the teaching that you should never let your tank go below a quarter as it puts great strain on the fuel pump. Ditto for you as a vehicle fueled by God’s Holy Spirit. Consider spiritual preparation as you go to the gas station. After getting the pump going, I wash the windows and headlights. I empty my trash can. Also, you can check your oil and tire pressure and get some nourishment.

I like to think of the confession time at our church, which usually precedes the opening hymn, as a time like my stopping at the gas station. We empty our trash cans of things that we regret. Our spiritual windshields are cleaned for better spiritual vision. Our spiritual headlights — which not only light our way but tell others who we are — are also cleaned that we may be light for others. Hearing God’s wishes for us and receiving the promise of forgiveness and strength in Holy Communion can nourish and refresh us. This and The Word proclaimed fill our spiritual gas tanks.

Been away from worship for some time? Need some fuel renewal and regret removal? Worship, both corporate and individual, can help. Chance favors the prepared mind. Be ready for an epiphany this week. As this year begins I pray for great and little epiphanies that spur us on to being grateful creations of God and being great creators of God’s new things. As we receive our epiphanies let us share them with all of creation. As a seminary intern I learned to set two alarms on Saturday night. Might not hurt you either.

Another good technique is “ACTS,” which stands for things we do in prayer. The first is adoration, in which we praise God for all our blessings. The second is confession, where we share our regrets for not living as God would have us. The third is thanksgiving, where we thank God for what is given, and the knowledge that we are heard. The fourth is finally supplication, where we share our requests with God. Notice this comes last, as opposed to some of our prayers that make God the great ATM in the sky.

God of creation, hold us, hear us, help us and heal us. Amid all the chaos in our world, help us prepare our minds for the great epiphanies you have in store for us each day. Help to manifest the warmth of your love in a lukewarm world. We pause now to let your Holy Spirit cleanse us and create in our us great acts of love. Stir us and steer us to persons, programs and projects that will praise you in all we do.

Let this season of Epiphany season our epiphanies for service in Your name. Amen

Chance favors the prepared mind.

Keep up the God Work!

Rev. John F. Hazel Jr. is a retired Palmerton pastor.