Epiphany, this year, means more than what hits the page of that ever so authoritative Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary.

EPIPHANY: 1 capitalized : January 6 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles or in the Eastern Church in commemoration of the baptism of Christ;  2: an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being; 3: a (1): a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something (2) an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking (3): an illuminating discovery, a realization or disclosure; b: a revealing scene or moment. 

Though in a very real way, this year’s Epiphany, in my slice of God’s world, is all these and more.  But I’m in no mood to draw contrasts and comparisons; today is a more-to-the-point day, because today is Kara’s due date.

It’s been 40 weeks of pregnancy, a nice biblical number of fulfillment.  And today, whether or not my unborn grandchild knows it, is showtime.  Time to put in an appearance.  To reveal yourself as Connor or Caroline.  And then, over a course of a lifetime, to begin showing us glimpses of your very own person-hood.

First things first.  Blue eyes or brown?  Blond hair or red?  Right-handed or left?  What will that first word be?

Tell me newest ‘grandchild,’ will you like stories and books?  Will you play sports? Or dance?  Or garden or cook? Or sing or play a bassoon?

Will you attend O.U. or O.S.U.?  Or keep family peace by going somewhere different and new?

Will you become a mathematician?  Or scientist? Or a farmer or priest?  Will you build roads?  Or drive spaceships?  Become a doctor or teach?  Or will you make your living doing what the world still waits to dream and define?

So many moments await your definition and I look forward to your every revelation.  Just remember this: there are no wrong answers when it comes to defining your self.  And don’t let the world tell you different.  As your great-grandmother always like to tell me, “Would you  JUMP off a cliff just because your friends did?”

And then there’s this, drawing closer to your Nana’s heart:   No matter who you are and when you may appear, I await you with love.