Epiphany: Hope, Healing, and the Value of "Story Work" (Part 1)

How does "looking back" or "reflecting" (as we did with the "examen" prayer format in a previous episode) help us look ahead to anticipate what God might be doing or want to do in our lives in the coming year? Perhaps the ancient holy day known as Epiphany might provide a clue or two.Epiphany is a sacred day in the Christian tradition that marks the arrival of the Three Kings immortalized in the famous song (a/k/a the Three Wise Men ) at the place where the newborn baby Jesus lay. Their remarkable journey was an act of tremendous faith. And that faith was grounded both in careful study of past "signs and wonders" --as reflected in sacred texts and the movements of the stars--and also in hope, specifically that there might be something worth seeing, experiencing, or learning after a long and treacherous journey into a foreign land. Join Chris and Wendy as they share reflections on what God has been doing in their lives (both recently and over 30+ years together) and what they are leaning into hope that he will do in 2024.  The discussion is  prompted by a contemplative consideration of Epiphany as described in Matthew 2:9-11, as well as a poem by Jan Richardson, "For Those Who Have Far to Travel." It also provides insight into the value of the "story work" that they do with clients during Nurture Counseling's individual counseling sessions, conflict coaching work, marriage and family enrichment seminars, and marriage intensives.