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Epiphany of Our Lord
January 6, 2010
Matthew 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, "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." 3When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
6'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"
7Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." 9When 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 over the place where the child was. 10When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today the Church celebrates the Epiphany of Our Lord. On this final day of ChristMass, we celebrate the revelation of God’s gift to the nations of the world. This manifestation is shown in the visit of the Magi and there showering the new family with gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
We sometimes miss the connection with Israel and the prophecies of Isaiah. Isaiah saw in Israel’s return to the land a call that Israel would become a light to the nations. That one day all nations would be drawn to Mount Zion and the God of Israel through the life and ministry of the people. Isaiah 60 the Hebrew scripture reading for today includes that image and the promise that the nations would come on camels, bringing gold and frankincense.
Matthew in his attempt to see Jesus as the faithful son of Israel tells the story of the Magi’s visit in light of Isaiah’s prophecy. Here at the foot of Jesus the nations come and bring their treasures. In the Christ child, the light of God is risen and draws in all nations.
In Luke, Simeon sees this same light and prophecy has he holds the child he proclaims that the child is “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.” (Luke 2:32) In John’s prologue Jesus, the Word made flesh, “was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5) In baptism, we are called into that ministry to let the light of Christ to shine forth and draw others to God in Christ.
O God, on this day you revealed your Son to the nations
by the leading of a star.
Lead us now by faith to know your presence in our lives,
and bring us at last to the full vision of your glory,
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen
