Dear Readers, Friends in Christ Jesus,
Today is the celebration of Epiphany in the Western Christian Church also called the Feast of the Three Kings, or Magi. The watchword for Epiphany is, “Arise and shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you,” Isaiah 60: 1, (NRSVB). As this new light rose from the east, the Wise Men saw this light and followed it and they had the revelation, or unveiling, of the incarnate Christ in the manger. Epiphany means an “unveiling of Christ’s divinity on the earth”, as was at his birth, at the coming of the Magi, his baptism and his miracles. When Christ comes again it will be the full unveiling of the mysteries of heaven and earth and all will bow with the Magi and worship Him. The Christian Church in the West celebrated Christmas (at least) since 366 AC on 25 December and Epiphany on 6 January, whilst the Christian Orthodox Church in the East celebrated Epiphany on 19 January and Christmas on 7 January. The reason for the difference in dates is due to the adaptation to the Georgian calendar in the Eastern liturgical tradition and the Julian calendar in the Western liturgical traditions. Despite the difference in dates, the Feast of Epiphany is celebrated with the same intention, to “behold the work of the Lord in his Son.” After one has experienced an epiphany, (a revelation of the Lord), it leads to a deeper understanding and witness by those experiencing this “lifting of the veil”, that Christ is the Lord, the Son of God. When Jesus died and the sky became dark, the earth trembled and the curtain of the Temple was torn in two, the Roman officer, a gentile soldier, was first to express: “Truly this was the Son of God!”(Matthew 27:54).
Our watch word for today is taken from Psalm 84: 12, “O Lord of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you,” (NRSVB). Psalm 84 was one of the Psalms that the Israelites sang as they ascended the hill to enter into the Temple of the Lord. This psalm was written by the temple musicians, the Son of Korah, who led the assembly in singing and worship accompanying them on various musical instruments. The psalm opens with the verse, “How lovely are you dwellings, your tabernacle, oh Lord.” The Israelites saw in their coming into the temple, something reflected of the heavenly beauty that one would enjoy, ultimately in the presence of God. Being in the presence of God, (experiencing his word as a written, spoken and visible experience), occurs when one sees the beautiful surroundings, hears the music and scripture and smells the scented frankincense. These experiences lead to the joyous understanding that “No good thing will God withhold from those who walk uprightly,” (Psalm 84: 11). Enjoying the House of God and the gifts that are part of the heritage of the Church is an epiphany for believers at each and every service. When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus into the temple, eight days after his birth, to fulfil all the laws of Moses, Anna and Simeon experienced epiphanies and were ecstatic, for they saw with their eyes, and held in their arms, the Son of God. They blessed him, expressed their joy and called Jesus their Lord. Their prayers for the Redeemer for Israel were answered (Luke 2; 34, 38).
The Stargazers of the East were compelled by the star light they saw in the heavens to search for the meaning of this light, for they interpreted that this sign in the heavens, was a sign that something incredible was going to happen on earth. They were not disappointed in their search, for they found the Baby and his mother and earthly father, in the stable. Their gifts portray an understanding of the unfolding of the life and purpose of Jesus in a unique manner. They gave him gold to reflect his kingship, not a king of an earthly kingdom, but the kingdom of heaven. They rejoiced and bowed before Jesus, for these kings knew that this was the King of kings. They also gave Jesus frankincense to portray his role as the priest who brings sacrifices to God in the temple at the altar, foreshadowing Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross for all. Finally they gave him myrrh, the balm that is used to prepare the bodies of the dead before they are buried. The Magi was surprised that the king of Judea didn’t know about this Child, whose star they saw in the East. God revealed to them that they should leave Bethlehem by a different route for the life of this Child was already in danger, for the king of Judea was troubled and plotted to kill this Child. The nations of the world far to the east of Judea and Israel already recognized this King, not a king from the world, but the king from heaven. They rejoiced, for God revealed his Son to them, and they believed. “When the wise men saw that the start had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother and they knelt down and paid him homage,” Matthew 2: 10-11, (NRSVB).
Father, on this Day of Epiphany we thank you that you still reveal yourself to us, you still manifest your presence. Thank you that we can have a glimpse behind the veil and be strengthened and encouraged by your glory and power in and through your Son in his birth, life, work, death and resurrection on earth. We praise you with the three Kings and all those who, through the ages, have seen you revealed in ways that humanity can perceive and understand. We come with the Magi and adore you and give you our gifts of ourselves. We pray in the Name of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Enfleshed Word, for us. Help us to see you wherever we go and to be aware of you in those around us. Help us to perceive the revelations of your Son in this dark world. Great is our Lord, who has been revealed to the nations of the world, now and forever, Amen.