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Day 12 of the Twelve Days of Christmas - “The Epiphany”

As we come to the end of the twelve days of Christmas, we also come to the celebration of the Epiphany.  The Epiphany marks the end of the Christmas season.  The word “epiphany” means “a
manifestation”…something that has been hidden is now “made visible”.  The celebration of the Epiphany in the church’s liturgy will occur this Sunday and comes from the visit of the Magi in Matthew’s Gospel.

Matthew 2:1-2, 10-11
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the King, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,
 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him…”  When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Twice in the narrative, the Magi indicate their long journey was to discover the King and to worship him.  The significance lies in the fact that they were Gentiles and not Jews.  The Gospel points us beyond the life of Jesus to the final days when he told his disciples:  “Go into ALL THE WORLD and preach the Gospel…”  The Apostle Paul reminded us that his mission was to preach the Gospel saying, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek ( Romans 1:16).

The Magi came to Jesus with gifts fitting a King.  They were the second of two epiphanies – the first being to the Shepherds on the night of the Nativity.  The shepherds were Jewish night workers.  The Magi were Gentiles - Persian royal court officials.  Epiphany reminds us that the Gospel is for the whole world.  This revelation had been prophesied in the Old Testament book of Isaiah 700 years before it occurred. 

Isaiah 60:1-6 
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.
 And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
 Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.
 Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
 A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense and shall bring good news, the praises of the LORD.

In the Epiphany, we pray that the light that has come will scatter the darkness.  That the glory of the Lord will shine into our hearts and minds, and that those who live in the darkness will see the glory of God in his people, in his Church.  So, “lift up your eyes”… behold “the Lord has come and his Kingdom with him”.

Matthew 9:35-38 
“Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.
 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;
 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Peace

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