Epiphany – is the name given to a Christian Holy Day celebrated in the Western Church today (or sometimes on the first Sunday after the New Year – no doubt for convenience) or in Orthodox churches on the 19th of January, somedays after their Christmas. It has three possible Biblical settings but they all have the same basic underlying thought, which is Jesus revealed as the Messiah for all to see and acknowledge.
Mk 1: 9 – In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” –Comment: This is a very powerful passage on which to base a Holy Day to celebrate Christ’s Dénouement for the whole world to see! God proclaims Jesus as His Son and the Messiah. The devil keeps poking his nose trying to mess up people’s understanding of God’s truth. H.e led some to believe that before this day Jesus was just a man and not God until proclaimed him as such. The early church creeds emphatically state this devil inspired heresy to be anathema!
Matt 2: 8 – And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. – Comment: – People often think of the Magi (not Jews) as arriving when Jesus was still lying in a cradle in a shed devoted to animals. They are probably wrong for Herod killed all the boys 2 years and under (i.e. under 3. Okay Herod the Great was not necessarily kind, in fact cruel, but that seems a big waste of subjects just to kill a new born baby! But this is a good passage as it emphasizes that the Messiah even though Jewish was for the whole world including Gentiles!
Luke 2: 25 – Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.” – Comment: Using Luke’s passage as the basis for claiming this date as the Proclamation of the Messiah having come is much wider than the portion which I have quoted. Anna as well as Simeon was delighted to claim and pronounce Him as the fulfillment of God’s promise of a Messiah and perhaps even more spectacularly you have an Angelic Choir singing at Jesus birth!
Habakkuk 3: 17-18 – Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, that You are Who You Are!
As I read it! 