During Advent, we spent a time in the dark spiritual winter, longing for the coming of the Savior. On Christmas morning, our Savior was born and the wonder of His arrival filled us with joy throughout the 12-day Christmas season—a season that actually ends TODAY, on Epiphany (January 6). This ushers in the time between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday, in which we remember how Jesus’ identity became increasingly apparent to the world. He is not only a human child born to liberate the Jews; He is God in flesh, and He has come to save all peoples of the earth.
I should acknowledge that the word “epiphany” may carry strong “Catholic” ties for some, or have no meaning at all for others. While I can’t change that, I can try to give a little background as to how it came to be a part of the liturgical calendar and what it means today.
The Apostle Paul described Jesus’ coming to earth as the “appearing” (Gk. epiphanian) of the glory of God in Christ our Savior: in Titus 2:13, 2 Thessalonians 2:8, and again in 2 Timothy 1:9-10. The early Christian Church (before the 4th century) established it as an annual day of feasting in which all are called to behold God’s glory in the light of Jesus’ “epiphany” (“appearance” or “manifestation”), or “theophany” as it was called in the East.
In the West, Epiphany Day (Jan. 6) celebrates the coming of the wise men who came from a faraway pagan land, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus. Their visit signaled something unexpected and amazing: Jesus’ mission of redemption was not only for the Jews, but also for Gentiles. Their gifts of burial spices suggest they were very familiar with what had been prophesied about this Messiah–that He was born to die so that those who are dying might live. The magi saw God’s glory (epiphany) when He literally moved the stars and heavenly bodies to guide them to the Savior. Additional texts that have historically been part of the season are Jesus’ baptism and His first miracle, turning water to wine in Cana.
As we reflect on these things together over the next few weeks, consider how the glory of God is made manifest (apparent) in Jesus. Look to the example of magi: You and I were once outsiders, but He brought us into His family. We were lost, but He rearranged the heavens to bring you close to Himself.
Your brother,
Ryan
1 Machiavelli, The Prince, Chapter 17.
2 Nietzsche’s term.
3 As an aside, I think it’s an interesting rabbit trail to think about why God allowed the magi to raise Herod’s suspicions and only then sent an angel to rerout them. See Matthew 2.
4 “You must, therefore, know that there are two means of fighting: one according to the laws, the other with force; the first way is proper to man, the second to beasts; but because the first, in many cases, is not sufficient, it becomes necessary to have recourse to the second.” (Machiavelli, The Prince, Chapter 17)