​“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10\
 
This week I have been away on our annual clergy retreat. At the beginning of a new year I look forward to this time to unplug, rest in the Lord, and spend time in God’s Word. Such retreats are necessary, as the Psalmist writes, for us to be still and know that He is God. It places the activities of our lives in perspective, renews relationship with the Lord, and affords an opportunity to wait upon and listen to God.
 
The late great Anglican priest, John Stott, was once asked toward the end of his ministry how he kept going in service to the Lord for so many decades. He replied that it was his discipline to spend an hour a day, a day a week, a week a month, and a month a year in retreat with the Lord. Now, I’ll be the first to admit I have a long way to go in achieving such a routine. However, it is a goal, because in order to be effective followers of Jesus we need to have intentional times planned closer to Him.
 
If I am honest, the annual clergy retreat is an easy time to get away, because it is required of us as clergy by the bishop. What is more challenging is taking times throughout the rest of the year to be renewed. It requires discipline, amidst all of life’s other commitments. And it differs from a day off. For retreating with the Lord is different than a movie day, day on the golf course, or enjoying one’s favorite hobby. It is time to spend in worship, in Scripture, working through a spiritual classic, and most importantly in prayer. And such retreats take time, because we are not accustomed to unwinding. It takes nearly a day for most of us to truly let go of all the stuff that fills our minds about the week ahead, next month, emails and phone calls, in order to be still. But such days and weekends are so needful in our lives.
 
I would urge you to make a retreat this year. As followers of Jesus, we are all in ministry. We minister to our families, those at work, our spouses, and in various roles at church. And in order to be effective, to grow in those roles, or even take on new ones, we need times of renewal and retreat. We need to receive from the Lord in order to have more to give. We need intentional times set aside to grow in the character of Christ as His followers.
 
There are always opportunities to do so, but it requires that we make time for them. This Saturday presents a day to grow in the Lord by attending a conference at Saint John’s in Fort Worth and setting aside time to reflect upon our  God-given desires (for more). For the men, the annual men’s retreat is a wonderful day to be with other men to be built up in the Faith (see here). Ladies, there are often Lenten quiet days that are upcoming too. There are also retreats and activities held Camp Crucis for the teens and college throughout the year. I would be delighted to help you find other conferences and retreats as well.
 
Retreats and quiet days require planning and intentionality, but they are so vital to our spiritual growth. Through them we are reminded of God’s great love toward us, His plans for our lives, and His desire to call us closer to Himself. Life is often frantic. We need such moments to pause to see that many of our mountains are molehills and to be further transformed by the Holy Spirit so that we may carry on in the ministries and vocations God has called us to. 

This week can come as a bit of a let down on the heels of various celebrations over the past several weeks. With the boxing up of decorations, return to school, and resuming routines comes a longing for more celebration as things go back to normal schedules. We certainly see this yearning evidenced in our culture by the emerging Valentine’s Day decorations and candy littering the shelves throughout various stores. Who doesn’t love a reason to celebrate?!
 
The joy of the Christian calendar is that the celebration does not end this week. We merely transition from one celebration to another. As Wednesday marked the end of Christmas, it also marked the beginning of Epiphany. Epiphany, meaning manifestation or revealing, celebrates the arrival of the wise men from the East to see the newborn King. This moment fulfilled the prophecies of old which foretold of a time when the nations would be gathered back to God through Israel’s relationship with Him (see Isaiah 42:6). Jesus, representative of Israel and in perfect relationship with God, is made known to the world as the star shines as a spotlight upon Him.
 
We rejoice in this moment, because it is good news for all. Good news that the way to God is opened to all through Jesus Christ, as He shines the way for each of us to come into relationship with Him. In every age the invitation stands to imitate the example of the wise men and come to Jesus. One eloquent preacher and bishop in our tradition by the name of Lancelot Andrewes noted,
 
They came a long journey, and they came an uneasy journey; they came a dangerous journey and they came now, at the worst season of the year.  They stayed not their coming till the opening of the year, till they might have better weather and way, and have longer days and so more seasonable and fit to travel in. So desirous were they to come with the first, and to be there as soon as they possibly might; broke through all these difficulties, and behold, come they did.
 
And we, what excuse shall we have if we come not?  If so short and easy a way we come not, as from our chambers hither? And these wise men were never a whit less wise for so coming; nay, to come to Christ is one of the wisest parts that ever these wise men did. And if they and we be wise in one Spirit, we will follow the same star, tread the same way, and so come at last wither they are happily gone before us.
 
Many cultures continue the festivities with a King Cake, parades, and other customs to recall this momentous occasion. As we live under the reality of the Resurrection, perhaps you may embrace or start such a custom in your home. You could make crowns to wear, have a special dinner, or pick up King Cake as a way to remember and celebrate the greatest moment in human history. May we celebrate this season to help us reflect, return, and ever hold fast to the Good News manifest to the world in Jesus Christ our Lord. ​