Why Epiphany Matters On The Road To Lent

The season of Epiphany often arrives quietly. After the celebration and familiarity of Christmas, the church calendar shifts into what can feel like an in-between time—long after the manger scenes are packed away, yet weeks before the solemn journey of Lent begins. And yet, Epiphany is anything but ordinary. It is a vital season of revelation that prepares our hearts and lives for the call to discipleship that Lent will soon make explicit.

Epiphany begins with light. The word itself means “manifestation” or “revealing,” and the season opens with the story of the Magi—outsiders who follow a star and discover that God’s salvation is not limited by borders, status, or familiarity. From the very start, Epiphany reminds the church that Christ has come not only for those who already belong, but for the whole world. This is a season that pushes faith outward, challenging us to see where God is already at work beyond our comfort zones.

Throughout Epiphany, the lectionary invites us to witness moments when Jesus is revealed more fully: his baptism in the Jordan, his calling of the disciples, his first miracle at Cana, his teachings and healings among the people. These stories are not simply historical recollections. They are invitations to recognition. Who is Jesus, really—and what does his presence demand of us? Epiphany insists that encountering Christ always leads to response.

That is why Epiphany matters so deeply as a bridge to Lent. During these weeks, we are learning to see clearly before we are asked to repent deeply. We are reminded that discipleship begins with paying attention: noticing where Christ shows up, listening for his call, and allowing ourselves to be changed by what we see. Lent will soon ask us to examine our lives honestly, to confront sin and mortality, and to walk the road toward the cross. Epiphany prepares us for that journey by grounding us in the truth of who Jesus is and why following him matters.

In many ways, Epiphany is the season of “practice.” We practice recognizing God’s light in unexpected places. We practice listening to Jesus’ call, often spoken in ordinary moments. We practice aligning our lives with the kingdom he proclaims. By the time Ash Wednesday arrives, the question is no longer whether Christ has been revealed, but whether we are ready to follow where that revelation leads.

As the church moves through Epiphany, we do so with eyes open and hearts attentive. This season teaches us that faith is not static and that revelation is ongoing. God continues to make himself known—in scripture, in community, and in the world around us. Epiphany trains us to notice that light, so that when Lent invites us into repentance, sacrifice, and renewal, we step forward not out of obligation, but out of love for the Christ who has already revealed himself to us.

From a United Methodist perspective, Epiphany has always carried a strong missional emphasis. John Wesley spoke often of faith as something that must be lived outwardly through works of mercy and works of piety. Epiphany embodies this balance. As Christ is revealed to us, we are sent to reflect that light into the world. The United Methodist Church’s Book of Worship names Epiphany as a season focused on Christ’s ministry and the church’s call to continue that ministry in tangible ways.

The lectionary readings during Epiphany reinforce this missional calling. Stories of Jesus calling fishermen to leave their nets, healing those pushed to the margins, and proclaiming good news to the poor remind us that revelation leads to action. In the Wesleyan tradition, holiness is never private or abstract; it is expressed in love of neighbor. Epiphany forms us to see the world as God sees it—full of beloved people in need of grace, justice, and compassion.

As we move through Epiphany and toward Lent, congregations can intentionally practice missional discipleship. This season is well-suited for acts of hospitality and outreach: supporting local food pantries, checking in on homebound neighbors, volunteering in schools, or partnering with community organizations that serve those who are often overlooked. These practices help us embody the light of Christ before Lent calls us inward for deeper self-examination.

Epiphany is also a natural time to engage in communal spiritual practices that prepare us for the coming lectionary season. Small groups can reflect on weekly gospel readings with the guiding question, “What is being revealed about Christ, and how are we called to respond?” Congregations might incorporate prayers for the nations, for missionaries, and for local ministries into worship, echoing the global vision symbolized by the Magi.

The United Methodist emphasis on connectional ministry fits especially well within Epiphany.

This season reminds us that we are not sent alone. Through apportionments, disaster response, global missions, and shared ministries, the church participates in Christ’s ongoing revelation across the world. Epiphany invites us to recognize that our local acts of faithfulness are part of something much larger than ourselves.

By the time Lent arrives, Epiphany has already shaped us. We have seen Christ revealed in scripture, encountered him in acts of mercy, and practiced responding to his call. When Ash Wednesday invites us into repentance and renewal, we do so as people who know why the journey matters. Epiphany has shown us the light. Lent will teach us how to follow it faithfully.