Friends of Shalom, Painting by David Zelenka - Baptism of Christ We are now several weeks into the season of Epiphany! This is a time in the church calendar following Advent/Christmas where we focus on the reality of Christ being revealed to the world. As the Apostle Paul said to Timothy: Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested (epiphany) in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. 1 Timothy 3:16 In Epiphany God is doing something new! His son is being revealed to the world through the star that guided the magi, the Father's voice from heaven at Jesus' baptism, the water turned into wine, and through Jesus' own pronouncement of the purpose of his ministry in Luke 4:16-21. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the...