Monday, January 6, 2020

6 Unwrapped Gift Ideas to Celebrate the Epiphany

Your Soul Cafe: Conversations that Open Hearts and Inspire Actions
"Ahead of them went the star that they had seen at its rising...When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy."-Matthew 2:9,10
What gifts might you share on this Feast of the Epiphany?
On January 6, many people across the globe celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany—a day when the Three Wise Men arrived with gifts for the Bethlehem Babe. The story goes that these magi followed a star to reach their sacred destination. 

Today I suggest that Three Wise Women also arrived but in the moonlight, never to be seen so that there are no stories about their precious gifts...until now.
Art by Shiloh Sofia
Following your inner star, here are three of six gifting ideas to celebrate today’s Epiphany:

1. From the Wise Maiden-Woman arriving on the wings of Sparrow in the moonlight is the first secret gift: 
Open your heart to everything and everyone as being a miracle.
Rewind and consider once again experiencing your world with childlike wonder.



2. From the Wise Mother-Woman arriving on the wings of Eagle in the moonlight is the second secret gift: Create sacred space, a room at the inner inn. 

You can do this by writing an AAA List -- Always Advance Appreciation List.



3. From the Wise Crone-Woman arriving on the wings of Owl in the moonlight is the third secret gift: 
Be mindful of how your expectation for miracles now appears. 

You expand on the two first secret gifts to expect and see only H.U.G.S. or Happy Unexpected God Surprises. Miracles that once seemed like only rare events, now appear as your daily norm.

Three additional “unwrapped pressie” ideas include:

 4. Write a love letter. My dear friend, Joy Siren, said, “If I was to write a love letter it would most likely be all about the party I was writing to (as opposed to being about me). I'd let them know how much I appreciate them and why...and I'd ask about specific things in their life, how they're enjoying their journey, what's been making their toes wiggle lately...that sort of thing." 

5. Call a prayer ministry to invite prayers for loved ones, leaders, and global concerns. This could be a call to a place like Silent Unity, a 125-year old prayer ministry. (I’ve called them for 35 years.) Call 1-800-NOW-PRAY as it's always free, 365/24/7. They'll send an email that includes your name and the person you prayed for.

6. Radiate love during meditation or walking meditation. Make a list of everyone you love or like, and also a list of people you don’t love or like. I use the Pink Heart Meditation: First, put your hand on your heart. Breathe. Then see a pink ribbon in figure 8's being woven around your heart, crossing to the center of the person in mind, circling their heart, and returning to your heart. Repeat 8x.

Embrace change as something fresh and fun! As you welcome change, you are able to make the best choices at each moment. 


Over the years, family and friends taught me the value of giving and receiving “unwrapped pressies” as we call them. The reasons are many:
They don't involve the exchange of money; they can be given any time, anywhere to anyone while saving on wrapping and postage and; do connect the head to the heart. 
The list to give these kinds of gifts to loved ones and yourself can be as long as the “to buy list.”

If you haven’t mindfully engaged in this practice, you’re invited to become a Changel--someone who lets go of the familiar way of gift-giving and embraces the changes of the unknown with trust and open-heartedness. Your new mantle blends the best of two words, change + angel

Congratulations on your new role as a Changel who gifts unwrapped pressies today and every day.
Happy Epiphany!
Christmas 2019 with the Bear Tree I created 20 years ago--a gift to my parents.
Want to connect with me, Lore (like story) Raymond? 

Amazon Bestselling Author I Teacher I Speaker I Development Editor
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2 comments:

  1. The convention of keeping Jesus' birthday came after the Epiphany had advanced onto the congregation schedule," says the Rev. Standard Mary June Nestler of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah. "Most students of history put the 'innovation' of Christmas Day in the fourth century. I will share this post on my platform Best Ghostwriting Services

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