Happy Epiphany Day
We come to the end of the 12 days of Christmas, and with apologies to all, I am blogging these last two days together.
Epiphany is celebrated around the world in Christian churches as the “revelation”, “showing”, “making known” (all which accurately convey what Epiphany means) of Jesus as Savior and King.
Our reading:
Matthew 2:1-12 (NASB)
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
2 "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him."
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.
5 They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:
6 'And you, Bethlehem , land of Judah , Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel .' "
7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him."
9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.
The visit of the Magi – “magos”, was of court officials who probably used astrology to gain guidance in their capacity of advisors to the Persian rulers. [That'll stretch your God box!] It was these “Gentiles” who first came to Jesus to recognize him as “He who has been born King of the Jews…”. It’s interesting to note, most of our manger scenes have the Magi at the stable with the shepherds and the animals; but vs. 1 clearly says they came “after” Jesus was born and later on that Jesus and his parents were in a house (vs. 11). Also interestingly, we sing “We Three Kings of Orient are…”, but there is no number connected with the visitors, only three gifts that are given (vs. 11).
What might be more significant than the number of Magi, is the gifts. Many have thought the gifts to have “prophetic” significance. Gold is for King; Frankincense was a spice used in incense, hence in Worship and fits Jesus’ role as Priest; and Myrrh which is a resin, the sap of a tree, that had usages in incense also, but for over 2000 years was also used as an embalming ointment (as well as in perfumes, lotions, even toothpastes!). Myrrh is used in Eastern Orthodox churches as part of “holy oil” for sacraments and other rites. It is significant as a gift the baby, probably as a lotion, but signifies his fore coming death as “lamb of God”, our Savior who died for our sins.
Also interestingly, is the appearance of the star. Traditions had it that the star “guided them”, but the text doesn’t say that; instead it says that the Magi saw the star “in it’s rising”, i.e., when it arose and therefore saw it as an astronomical anomaly, a sign, that they then traveled towards. There have been a number of theories on the star, but I think it is sufficient to say that God has a way of directing the universe for his purposes.
Of course, for us, today in 2009, Epiphany is the great reminder that Jesus is “revealed” to us as our King – ruling over the Kingdom of God – and as Priest, who ever lives to make intercession for us, and as our Savior, the Lamb of God that has come to take away the sins of the world.
For many places in world, this is really Christmas Day. Last night was “Twelfth Night” in the 12 days of Christmas. It is for all Christians, the end of the Christmas season that we celebrate in Advent and the 12 Days of Christmas.
The song that is referred to as “The Twelve Days of Christmas” concludes with the 11th and 12th days:
On the 11th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Eleven Pipers Piping ...which stood for:
The eleven Faithful Apostles: 1) Simon Peter, 2) Andrew, 3) James, 4) John, 5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew, 8) Thomas, 9) James bar Alphaeus, 10) Simon the Zealot, 11) Judas bar James. (Luke 6:14-16). The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans.
AND,
On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Twelve Drummers Drumming ...which brings the lesson of these twelve days to
the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed:
1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. 3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. 4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave]. 5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 7) I believe in the Holy Spirit, 8) the holy catholic Church, 9) the communion of saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting.
Happy Epiphany to all.
A Prayer:
"Father, we come to this day of revelation with hearts filled with your goodness and grace. Thank you for the gift of your son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit which serves us in bringing us always back to you. We love this season of celebration...the Christmas lights, presents, and season is over, but the incarnation and presence of your son lives on in our hearts through faith. Father, this is you...no wonder we bow in worship before you. Amen."
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