Epiphany

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him...the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.  And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.”  - selections from Matthew 2

    These verses are the bookends of the story that is the basis for Epiphany.  Today, January 6th, is the celebration of the Epiphany of Christ.  The term “Epiphany” means “manifestation,” and it is the day when Christians celebrate that God came to earth for all and not just for some.  This was revealed by the fact that gentile Magi brought gifts to the child king, something unheard of but significant, for they were included in God’s plan...as all are invited even today.
    As I begin this day I contemplate the power of such a truth, that the God of all things would come to regular, ordinary people and irregular, odd misfits.  That God would come to those who were part of the family, but also open up that family to include all who needed a place to call home.  Today this is what I remember, and it’s an invitation for all of us to remember and reflect upon.
    Every year when Epiphany rolls around I make the connection of Epiphany to New Year’s.  It’s not a hard stretch, but I do believe it is significant, because both give us the opportunity to start again.  They both give us a chance to step back from life, realign ourselves, then step out on a path that is set by our Creator.
    It’s kind of like keeping our eyes on a star and following it, as we can keep our eyes and hearts focused on a New Year’s Resolution or decision for change, with the help of God, we can arrive at a place that we expect and don’t expect at the same time.  That is, those Magi didn’t know what they’d find, they just knew it was special.  In the same way when we set a course for change, we might not expect to know what to find, but we can be blessed with something special on the other end.  Both are worth it.

    In addition to connecting Epiphany to New Year’s I also pause to reflect upon the last line of the story – “they returned to their country by another route.”  It’s a line worth thinking on, for there are plenty of places in my life (and yours) where I need to take another route.  After all, that’s the only way for change to happen, and often it’s a better way.  I/we just have to be bold enough to choose another way and follow it.
    Finally, there is a great theme that emerges throughout the season of Epiphany, and that is the theme of “Light.”  The symbol of Epiphany is the Star that guides.  My hope and prayer is that this Epiphany and this year, the Light will guide, that it will illuminate the dark places, and as it does lead us to the place we need to be.