The season of Epiphany lasts from the Twelfth Day of Christmas until just before Lent. At the beginning of the season is the feast of Epiphany, or Little Christmas, also known as Three Kings Day; the feast of the Presentation, or Candlemas (Candelaria), February 2nd, marks its end.
On the feast of Epiphany, in some places, a lucky person will find a little clay (or plastic) baby Jesus – or a bean or a coin – in their piece of festival cake; that means they’re king or queen for the day, and it’s their turn to provide the refreshments at the next feast, on Candelaria DayCandlemas.
In between is the season of Epiphany, of ‘appearance’ or ‘manifestation’, celebrating the ‘shining forth’—or revelation—of God becoming present to humankind in the person of Jesus.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
The whole event of the Incarnation, including the Birth of the Messiah, the visit of the ‘Magi’ – the Wise Men or ‘astrologers’ – to the Holy Family at Bethlehem, all of Jesus’ growing up, his Baptism in the Jordan River, the Presentation in the Temple, the Wedding-feast at Cana, can becelebrated illuminates at this season; we pay particular attention to his Baptism on January 13th.
This continuing celebration of the mystery of the Incarnation, of ‘God in Man made manifest’,—in Christ— shows forth to the whole of creation the love of God.
The star in the east, the pilgrim kings bearing royal and mysterious gifts, the night flight of the holy family, the descent of the dove as Jesus emerges from the river water, Cana — all these portents point to the question, “Who is Jesus?” Who is he now, here, in our lives and our world? Who will he be for us? How will God be present to us in our lives?
And how will we make God present to others? Epiphany is the season to explore that…
Showing posts with label Epiphany. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Epiphany. Show all posts
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Saturday, January 5, 2008
the wise still seek him
The wise still seek him – and they still come bearing gifts. They bring to the Christ Child the symbols of his glory: gifts for royalty, for priesthood, for martyrdom. “Gold for the King, frankincense for the priest, myrrh for the sacrifice.” And what they bring is still less than what they receive, and being wise, they know it.
That is why they come: because here at the feet of the Christ Child they are in the presence of a mystery greater than any king, any priest, any martyr, any prophet. They are in the presence of the living God.
In Jesus the fullness of God is pleased to dwell.
In Christ we are ourselves invited to dwell: to live in his kingdom as he has come to live among us, as one of us.
Today we are invited to kneel with the wise at the feet of the Christ. We bear our gifts: our selves. We stand like them in the presence of the living One.
Isaiah 9:2,6
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Shown to us by the leading of a star, or some less likely light, we too travel from afar to be at this manger side. We too have been chosen to receive the gift of his Light, and to reveal to the World his Word.
Matthew concludes his gospel:
[And] Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (28: 18-20)
Each of us is called to witness, each of us is called to serve; but first, each of us is called to worship: to adore, at the side of this little bed, in the smallest of miracles, that quietest of triumphs, the living God present among us in the form of a human being like ourselves.
With no trappings of glory other than those he receives from us – and from us he is more likely to receive, inevitably, a crown of thorns – he yet comes to us, bringing to us Light and Life and Hope.
Seeing the star in the east, the wise ones sought the holy One of Israel: and they followed the star. And they found him. We can do no less. And no less will we receive, in word and sacrament and through his Spirit, the gifts of him whom they sought.
Epiphany • 2008 January 6 • Isaiah 60:1-6 • Psalm 72:1-7,10-14 • Ephesians 3:1-12 • Matthew 2:1-12
That is why they come: because here at the feet of the Christ Child they are in the presence of a mystery greater than any king, any priest, any martyr, any prophet. They are in the presence of the living God.
In Jesus the fullness of God is pleased to dwell.
In Christ we are ourselves invited to dwell: to live in his kingdom as he has come to live among us, as one of us.
Today we are invited to kneel with the wise at the feet of the Christ. We bear our gifts: our selves. We stand like them in the presence of the living One.
Isaiah 9:2,6
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Shown to us by the leading of a star, or some less likely light, we too travel from afar to be at this manger side. We too have been chosen to receive the gift of his Light, and to reveal to the World his Word.
Matthew concludes his gospel:
[And] Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (28: 18-20)
Each of us is called to witness, each of us is called to serve; but first, each of us is called to worship: to adore, at the side of this little bed, in the smallest of miracles, that quietest of triumphs, the living God present among us in the form of a human being like ourselves.
With no trappings of glory other than those he receives from us – and from us he is more likely to receive, inevitably, a crown of thorns – he yet comes to us, bringing to us Light and Life and Hope.
Seeing the star in the east, the wise ones sought the holy One of Israel: and they followed the star. And they found him. We can do no less. And no less will we receive, in word and sacrament and through his Spirit, the gifts of him whom they sought.
Epiphany • 2008 January 6 • Isaiah 60:1-6 • Psalm 72:1-7,10-14 • Ephesians 3:1-12 • Matthew 2:1-12
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