Devotions - Epiphany, Matthew 2:9-10
Epiphany - Matthew 2:9-10
When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.
Everyone knows what Christmas is, and most people have gotten used to Advent. But when it comes to Epiphany... many are not too sure. What does it mean? How do we use the word?
"I've had an apostrophe," declares Smee. "I think you mean an epiphany," replies Hook in the 1991 movie.
Smee is on the right track. He has had a revelation; the proverbial light has gone on over his head. The season of Epiphany means much the same for Christians.
The word "epiphany" comes from the Greek, meaning "a manifestation" or "a showing forth". January 6 is known on the Christian calendar as Epiphany. It is sometimes called the "Twelfth Night" being the 12th Day after Christmas. It signifies the event of the Magi, or Wise Men visiting the baby Jesus, and is known in certain Latin cultures as Three Kings Day. In the Eastern (Orthodox and Oriental) churches it is known as the Theophany, "God manifest" commemorating Jesus' baptism. In the Western churches (Protestants, Catholics, and Anglicans) Epiphany commemorates the "adoration" of the Christ Child by the Magi as they presented their gifts, thereby "revealing" Jesus to the world as Lord and King.
The story of the Wise Men in Matthew's Gospel tells us that the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ was not a secret to be kept in Bethlehem, but was good news that needed to be shared with the whole world. As they returned to their home countries, they carried with them the news of God's love made manifest in human form for the redemption of all humankind.
When one hears such news, the words of Isaiah ring very true: "The people who walked in darkness, have seen a great light". (Isaiah 9:2)
We've had a revelation.
The light has gone on in our lives!