04/01/2025

The Epiphany

“Some wise men came, ‘Where is the infant King of the Jews?’”

Notice Matthew writes ‘Some’, not three and not Kings – but Magi: wise polymaths interested, among other matters, astronomy, astrology and politics.

However as there were three gifts, ‘some’ soon became three.

The word "epiphany" comes from the Greek word epiphainen, which means "to manifest," "appear," or "make known".

The Magi brought three gifts to Jesus: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The gifts symbolize wealth and power, prayer, and healing; the gift of myrrh foreshadows Jesus' death.

The Epiphany of the Lord highlights that Jesus the Saviour can be welcomed – by The Wise - and rejected – by the nasty, like Herod.

The Epiphany of the Lord shows that God's kingdom is different from earthly kingdoms, and that enduring  power manifests itself in love and service; as  shown by the lengthy – 12 day - journey and the gifts of the Magi.

The Magi  - the Wise men - were interpreted as kings to fulfil the prophecy in Psalms 72:11, which says “May all kings fall down before him”.

The Magi are traditionally named Balthasar, Melchior, and Gaspar. In Western church tradition, Balthasar is often represented as the king of Arabia or Ethiopia, Melchior as the king of Persia, and Gaspar as the king of India. 

Whoever the Wise Men were, they were wise enough to return home by another route, they have  given us this fine feast as we enter the final week of this Christmastide. 

What gifts would you like to give Jesus in tis new 2025 year of Jubilee?

I plan to keep on keeping on giving my time for the service of others – including you.  Aren’t you lucky!