The Epiphany of the Lord, Years A,B & C

Soon after Christmas western Christianity celebrates the Epiphany of the Lord. The word comes from the Greek epiphaneia meaning “manifestation” or, “striking appearance.” The feast had its origins in Easter Christian Churches and was a general celebration of the manifestation of the Incarnation of Jesus. Originally its scope was more broad. It was a celebration of a number of events in scripture that revealed Jesus to the world.  Those events included: the commemoration of his birth; the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem; all of Jesus’ childhood events, up to and including his baptism in the Jordan by John the Baptist; and even the miracle at the Wedding of Cana in Galilee. In western Christian Churches the focus has rested primarily upon the Visit of the Magi.

Who are the Magi? They are not kings, probably not from Persia, and yet there was something that drew them to visit the Christ child. St. Matthew, writing to Jewish audience, makes all kinds of Old Testament references that would be familiar to the 1st century audience – but not necessarily to us. It is all part of Matthew’s overall narrative intent: Jesus is the fulfillment of all that was promised by the prophets.

There is a lot more to this gospel. Sit with it for a moment on the back porch.

Full Text of the Sunday Readings

Detailed Commentary on the Gospel

Image Credit: The Adoration of the Magi by Edward Burne-Jones (1904) | Public Domain- US