Ephiphany
Let the light shine!
Today the Church throughout the world recognizes the Epiphany of the Lord. (We’ll get back to Mark tomorrow.)
Most often, the story of the magi is lumped together in the Nativity. For the most part, that’s okay. But they weren’t there the night Jesus was born, that’s for sure.
The meaning behind the magi’s visit goes much deeper than setting a precedent for gift-giving on Christmas. For one, Matthew points out that even as a child, Christ came for the whole world. These men are not Jews.
In this way, Epiphany becomes associated with light because it celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the whole world. Something hidden is now made visible. This revelation is framed through luminous images: the star that guides those magi, Isaiah’s vision of nations drawn to rising light, and the proclamation of Jesus as “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.” In the early Church, revelation itself was understood as illumination, reinforcing light as the natural language for God made known beyond Israel.
This is an invitation to let Christ’s light shine on us and to let his light shine through us today.
Matthew 2:1-12
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during the rule of King Herod, magi came from the east to Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We’ve seen his star in the east, and we’ve come to honor him.”
When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, and everyone in Jerusalem was troubled with him. He gathered all the chief priests and the legal experts and asked them where the Christ was to be born. They said, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is what the prophet wrote:
You, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
by no means are you least among the rulers of Judah,
because from you will come one who governs,
who will shepherd my people Israel.”
Then Herod secretly called for the magi and found out from them the time when the star had first appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you’ve found him, report to me so that I too may go and honor him.” When they heard the king, they went; and look, the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him. Then they opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Because they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route.
Prayer (adapted from the Book of Common Prayer)
God,
By the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to all the peoples of the earth. Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.