EPIPHANY

EPIPHANY

The Feast of Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th when Christians remember the visit of the Wise Men to the baby Jesus, as told by St Matthew.

Magi were wise men who came from the East, following a star until it led them to the Christ child: they brought their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, symbols of who Jesus is (see below). The Bible does not call them Kings, nor does St Matthew give them names, but in the tradition they are called Caspar, Melchior and Belthazar.

The purposes of the gifts was as follows::


Gold: means power and riches and symbolised that Jesus was going to be King.

Frankincense (or incense): incense is used in the worship of many religions then and now. It was offered in the Temple at Jerusalem, and is still in many churches today. It is a sign of the presence of God, and that something is holy. So in the Epiphany story it shows us that Jesus is the Son of God.

Myrrh: was used to prepare bodies for burial. This sweet smelling gum comes from the myrrh plant and was used as a perfume. Its gift to Jesus at Epiphany is a sign that Jesus is human too, and that he will share our death. It points to the importance of Jesus' death for Christians, as he offered himself in love to the Father.

Epiphany means Revelation: the gifts show us who Jesus is and what he will do, and the visit of the Wise Men from the East (who were not Jews) tells us that Jesus comes not just for God's ancient people, the Jews, but for all peoples (in bible language, the Gentiles).

This theme of Revelation, showing who Jesus is, continues in two other events in the life of Jesus which Christians remember at this season: The Baptism of Jesus, and his first miracle, Changing Water into Wine.

BAPTISM

Jesus, when he was about 30 years old, came to the River Jordan and accepted the Baptism of John, who was teaching that all needed to be baptised to show sorrow for sin. Jesus, who was without sin, did not need to be baptised, but allowed himself to be as an example for us to follow. The Gospels say that as Jesus came up out of the water, he heard a voice from heaven saying, 'This is my Son, my Beloved, in whom I am well-pleased.' So again, this is a revelation of who Jesus is, God's Son.

JESUS FIRST MIRACLE

Continuing the theme of Revelation, at Epiphany Christians remember Jesus' first miracle, which was the turning of water into wine at a wedding feast in Cana in Galilee. Jesus was there with some friends. His mother was also there and persuaded him to turn jars of water into fine wine, when the wine had run out. This miracle shows us two things: first again, who Jesus is, the Lord of creation, changing water into wine; second, the overwhelming generosity of God's love, care and provision in the abundance of wine, some twenty or thirty gallons, according to the Gospel!