What is Epiphany?

Tuesday, December 19th, 2023 @ 12:09 pm

What is the Feast of the Epiphany and how does it enrich our faith? Fleur Dorrell guides us as we journey with the three kings to Jesus’ birth.

The three kings on camels following the star.

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Matthew 2: 1-23 – The Visit of the Wise Men

2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, ²saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” ³When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; ⁴and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ⁵They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

⁶“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

⁷Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. ⁸And 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.” ⁹After 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. ¹⁰When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. ¹¹And 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. ¹²And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

The Flight to Egypt

¹³Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” ¹⁴And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt ¹⁵and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

Herod Kills the Children

¹⁶Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. ¹⁷Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:

¹⁸“A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

The Return to Nazareth

¹⁹But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, ²⁰saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” ²¹And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. ²²But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. ²³And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.

1. What does the word “Epiphany” mean?

‘Epiphany’ comes from Greek and means ‘to show’, referring to Jesus being revealed or shown to the world as God’s beloved Son. The six Sundays which follow Epiphany are called the ‘time of manifestation’.

2. What is the Feast of the Epiphany about?

Epiphany is the feast that celebrates the beginning of the revelation of the significance and importance of Jesus Christ while still a baby to the Three Wise Men (the Magi) who had travelled from the East to Bethlehem.

3. When do we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany?

Epiphany, or the 12th day of Christmas, falls on the 6th of January in the West and marks the official end of Christmas for Christians.

4. Where in Scripture is the Epiphany found?

In Matthew 2:1-12, some wise men find Jesus by following a star right across the desert to Bethlehem, where he was born.

5. Who were the Magi?

The title Magi originally refers to the senior Priests and advisors of the Persian King, they belonged to other religions and were men of deep knowledge, similar to modern philosophers, scientists and astronomers.

Tradition developed the idea that they were called Melchior, Caspar and Balthasar and that they represented different parts of the world:

Melchior – Europe.
Caspar – Arabia.
Balthazar – Africa.

On seeing Jesus in a manger, Matthew says that they bowed down immediately and offered symbolic gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. These gifts highlighted the importance of Jesus’ birth:

Gold – represents his status and power in the world.
Frankincense – was always burnt in Temples and implies his divinity.
Myrrh – perfumed ointment for anointing the dead and points to the cross and Jesus’ future.

6. Why did the Magi come to see Jesus?

The Magi had spotted an unusual alignment in the stars that seemed to foretell the birth of a new “King of the Jews”. There were a number of great writers and thinkers at that time who wrote and prophesied about the coming of a world leader who would bring universal peace.

7. Why did they first go to Herod?

The Magi thought, naturally, that the new “King of the Jews” would be the son of the present King, Herod the Great. So it was logical that their search for the newborn “King of the Jews” should take them to Israel’s royal city and to the King’s palace. It would have made sense to assume that the future king would be been born in that place. This assumption contributed to Herod’s fear of losing power and kingship, which tragically led to the slaughter of the innocents.

8. What was the star?

We do not know what type of star, comet, supernova, planetary movement or other natural phenomenon was seen by the Magi. But it led them to Jerusalem, it disappeared and then reappeared and hovered over the house in Bethlehem, as it says in Matthew’s Gospel:

2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Matthew 2:2.

When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was.
Matthew 2:9.

The story of the Magi’s star shows us that it was not the star that determined Jesus’ destiny but his place of birth. So the focus of their remarkable journey was not the star so much as the very special child it’s presence pointed to.

9. Feast of the Epiphany around the world

Across the world, Epiphany festivities vary. Epiphany is known as Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings’ Day) in the Spanish-speaking world. In Mexico, crowds gather to taste the Rosca de Reyes – Kings’ bread. In other countries such as France, Germany and Holland, a Jesus figurine is hidden in the bread or a special ‘Three Kings’ Cake’ is made with a coin hidden inside, and whoever finds it in their slice is king for the day. During the mediaeval period, Christmas was celebrated in the 12 days from Christmas Eve on December 24, until the Epiphany. Even up until the 19th century, the 6th January was as big a celebration as Christmas Day. By the middle of the 6th century, Advent, Christmas and Epiphany had become an established sacred season with distinct feast days dedicated to the coming, arrival and revealing of Jesus Christ.

10. The prophecy in Isaiah 60:1-6

60 Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will be seen upon you.
3 And nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your rising.

4 Lift up your eyes all around, and see;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from afar,
and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.
5 Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and exult,
because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
6 A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord.

11. Epiphany Carol: We Three Kings of Orient Are.

Author: John Henry Hopkins Jr. 1857.

We three kings of orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain
Moor and mountain
Following yonder star.