Tomorrow is my birthday. Tomorrow night there will be angelfood cake and buttercream frosting after dinner. Every birthday for as far back as I can remember, I have had angelfood cake and buttercream frosting. I find that somehow reassuring. Most other unique celebrations over the years have shifted, adapted, changed, out of necessity, choice, what have you, but an angelfood cake has made an appearance on January 5th. I baked cookies to take to work–the students in my religion class are going to flip their twelve year old lids. Can’t wait, actually.

In recent years, I have come to adopt a small piece of the Epiphany service as a liturgical birthday party for me too. The trumpets, the trombones, percussion…incense, singing, clapping, and joy…a couple of hundred people choosing to be together, making and sharing peace and good will. Giving hugs and kisses, shaking hands and wishing well. being and bearing Word.

To be a part of all that…what greater gift could there be? I am so glad to be alive.