| Epiphany
begins after the 12-day season of Christmas.
Epiphany is a season in which rejoice in knowing that the Light of the World
has been revealed.
The Epiphany of our Lord is the wonderful
liturgical festival observed on January 6th. The book of Matthew is
considered the most Jewish of all the gospels, and yet in it we hear about the
very first Gentiles who worshipped Jesus.
The first Sunday after the Epiphany is (the
Baptism of our Lord), and the last Sunday after the Epiphany (the
Transfiguration of our Lord). White, the color of purity, holiness, and
joy is the traditional liturgical color for these two Sunday. The other
Sundays after the Epiphany are green.
The word "Epiphany" comes from a Greek word
which means "appearance." The Wise Men (magi) followed the star to
Bethlehem and found the King of the Jews. Jesus was sent for all people. |
| The account of the Wise Men is found only in
Matthew. The story is in chapter 2 beginning at verse 1. There is
no mention of the number of Wise Men. There is mention, however, of three
gifts- gold, incense, and myrrh - the basis for the popularity of the
number of visitors being three. These Wise Men gave gifts to Jesus, for
he was born King of the Jews... born to be Prophet, Priest, and King.
The magi were not at the manager with the shepherds. In fact,
theologians say that Jesus was probably one or two years old at the time of
the Magi's visit.
Presumably, the visit from the Magi would
have been sometime between the forty day consecration and the flight to Egypt.
It was while at the temple that Simeon took Jesus into his arms and said "Lord,
now you let me depart in peace, according to your Word. For my eyes have
seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all people, a
light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel." |
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