Epiphany – What Shall We Bring?
In our church calendar, the Christmas Season lasts for 12 days – from December 25th until the evening of January 5th. You may remember the song – ‘On the Twelve Days of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me…..’
January 6th is the start of a new church season – the season of Epiphany – and is marked by the scriptural appearance of the Magi, or wise men:
“In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ Matthew 2:1-2
Strangers, non-Jews (gentiles in biblical speak), responding to the rising of a star, travelling from a long distance, arriving at last in the city of Jerusalem. Their eagerness to see the child whose star had led them on the journey so evident in their approach to one who they believed would know the exact location of this miraculous child.
King Herod.
With hindsight we may not think that the men were particularly wise in the ways of power – Herod is truly frightened by their request and, I imagine, worried of a challenger to his own power base.
But indeed, the men were right. Herod did know – once he consulted his own leaders and the prophets of old – Bethlehem was the answer. And we read further of the wise men’s overwhelming joy at the arrival at the house where Mary and Jesus are living, followed by kneeling and paying homage with the offering of gifts from their treasure-chests – gold, frankincense and myrrh.
In some cultures, the Epiphany is called the ‘Little Christmas’. And the gift giving – to children – does not happen until the 6th of January in remembrance of the story of the wise men. The 25th of December is the day that families get together to share a meal and attend a church service.
I’m sure that in our own culture, there could be much salivating over the thought of being able to introduce another ‘Christmas’ into the consumer calendar – (remember how seamlessly American’s Black Friday sales appeared in Australia a few years ago). Or maybe the opposite – try telling people (especially little ones) that they have to wait another 12 days for presents!
Hmmmmm…..we might shudder at either possibility!
However, for Christ followers, the scriptural appearance of the wise men makes us glad in our hearts that strangers welcomed Jesus into the world where rejection and cruelty would lurk in the wings.
And reminds us that, as well as our prayers for healing and wholeness for ourselves and others, we are also to bring our own gifts to God through Christ.
What are we to bring? Praise and giving thanks, we are told, are a great start!
Blessings
Ceri
