“I am not the Christ.”

And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. (John 1:19-28 ESV)

The season of Epiphany is upon us, officially bringing the Christmas season to a close. On January 6, the liturgical color will change from white to green in most Lutheran churches (Epiphany's message of Christ's revelation to the Gentiles along with the season's traditional emphasis on extending Christ's kingdom through missions, calls for the use of green-- the color symbolic of growth). And, yes, I am aware that today is January 4 and that this post has shown up two days early; however, a message delivered on December 20 regarding the relevance of John's testimony (above) caught my eye, so I wanted to share it along, so to speak-- words to consider as most of us the herd heads back to work, school, etc., into a world that's taken down the decorations and boxed up Jesus for another year-- a world still nursing its annual Christmas hangover.

A Lutheran pastor in North Dakota, the Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, posted this message, entitled "Who Are You?", to his website (PM Notes, linked at right and an interesting spot to look around) a good 2½ weeks before Epiphany. Here's an excerpt:

Who are you?  Yes, who are you?  When you look into the mirror, what is staring back at you?...

Culture says that you are defined by your sexual orientation, that you are a sexual being who finds the pinnacle of essence in the amount of sexual satisfaction that can be created.  Is this who you are, a sexual experience?

Hollywood tries to answer this by convincing you that you can become a celebrity. Plastic surgery, hair extensions, fake eyelashes, skinny jeans, a Phillip Lim handbag, and a little bit of acting will allow you to become whatever you want to be.  Is this who you are, a cosmetic creation?...

Social media strives to answer the question through cool looking selfie photos, fancy profile pictures, and attractive posts.  Is this who you are, a social media profile?

No need for CSI here. (Get it? CSI? The Who? Theme song?... Oh, never mind.)

Whoooo are you? (Who? Who?-- sorry, that song is in my head now...)

Better, who are you?