The Feast of the Epiphany

Friday, 6 January 2012

The Rev'd Deacon Denise LaVetty

New York City

They were important, educated people (and so were called “Wise Men”), probably astrologers (and so were called “Magi”), and somewhere over the years were linked to the passage in Isaiah which we heard today (and so were promoted to “Kings”). It's assumed there are three, because of the three gifts offered. They see a light, a star, and they follow it. They follow it through a place of envy and fear, past Herod. They follow it until they find the Son of God and they recognize him, worship him and pay homage to him.

Only after this do they offer their gifts. Then, rather than endanger their new-found King, their new-found salvation, they don't leave the way they came, but return by a different route, no doubt changed forever. Whether we refer to them as Wise Men, Magi, or Kings, they are steadfast and arrive each year just as the light of Christmas may already be dimming in our hearts.

With my respectable collection of books on theology topics, you would think I would use them as a resource. But no, I went straight to Wikipedia curious about what this non-theological tool may have to offer about the meaning of epiphany. The word “epiphany” is from the ancient Greek “epiphaneia” which means “manifestation” and “striking appearance”.

Wikipedia goes on to define an “epiphany” as “the sudden realization or comprehension of the (larger) essence or meaning of something. ” The term is used to signify the one has "found the last piece of the puzzle and now sees the whole picture," or “has new information or experience,…that illuminates a deeper…frame of reference.” I'm so struck by how this secular tool seems to just nail it.

The Magi, having discovered the fulfillment of the prophesy of Isaiah, are determined to find this newborn King. It was no doubt the star that initially got their attention, after all they were astrologers.

They would have to be incredibly interested in such an unusual star but what I find wonderful is their unquestioning belief that this star would lead them to the Jewish Messiah. This is a beautiful blend of science and theology and I've got a feeling the fact these were educated people made Herod particularly nervous. If these smart guys are convinced – there must be something to it!

I don't think they were planning to be touched on a deeply personal level or to play such a pivotal role in the eventual unfolding of the mystery of Jesus' life on earth. Jesus is revealed to the Magi – to these foreigners, to these gentiles – and their recognition of Jesus as the Messiah, assures us that Jesus is recognizable and available not only to the Jews but to all. St. Paul's ministry, as clearly stated in today's reading from his letter to the Ephesians, confirms that “…the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus…”

The Magi's visit gives the first evidence of this. They sought the “…child who has been born King of the Jews…” and in their recognition, and in their worship and homage to him, claimed him as their own and claimed him for the world, for us, as well. This is what we celebrate on Epiphany – the realization and recognition of the Son of God as Savior of the world – the Savior of us all.

My Internet wanderings led me to a French philosopher, Emmanuel Levinas, who said that an epiphany is a “manifestation of the divine” and is seen in the face of another. Like the previous definition of epiphany I think Emmanuel nailed it with this beautiful thought – “the manifestation of the divine as seen in the face of another”. Regardless of how much we claim to accept Jesus as our Savior, until we see him in the faces of others, the path to him remains unlit.

During the pre-Christmas season, it's ironic that it's so much more difficult than at other times in the year to see God in the faces of others – as we lose our patience in a crowded mall, as we disagree with partners and spouses about the placement of decorations, as we exhaust ourselves selecting gifts for people and cooking. The whole “peace on earth and good will towards men” season can bring out the very worst in us.

Christmas Day, only twelve days ago, seems a world away. Christmas – so much anticipation, so much angst. It's a wonderful season but can also be a stressful one and even a sad one. Christmas has become larger than life, something we look forward to yet in some ways dread as our year comes racing to a close.

By the time the big day comes around we can be so exhausted and drained, our Christmas wish becomes to just survive it. We can have great intentions of having a holy and blessed Christmas and we may get really close to it – I hope we all did. It's easy here within the walls of Church. We attend beautiful candlelit services with stirring hymns and wonderful liturgy. But that other Christmas – the one out there – that's the one that has the power to knock the stuffing out of you.

And now that we're mentally and emotionally past this Christmas, maybe we've even put it all away – the sidewalks where I live were already littered with tossed out Christmas trees on December 26! – Just as we're looking beyond it all and becoming immersed in our New Year, as if they were in the background all along and just keeping a low profile, these Magi seem to amble from the far edges of our creches right into our path.

Just as we're ready to put it all behind us and hunker down for the duration of the winter, they come loping along on their camels, very peaceful, not seeming in any particular rush – the exact opposite of our own personal Christmas scene.

By the time Epiphany comes along, some of us, some years, are quite frankly, just no longer in the mood. And yet, here they are; the Magi have finally arrived and they point us once again to the baby lying in the manger. Good timing or bad timing?

Once the Magi found Jesus, they first worshipped him. Once they had paid homage, only then did they offer their gifts. I wonder what our Christmas would be like if we observed it that way – in some cultures they do.

Spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day – really the entire pre-Christmas season – focused only on the arrival of the Messiah. Then, after Christmas Day we hit the stores in preparation for a gift-giving Epiphany! And think of the sales!

While the Magi observed a wonderful protocol, we are pretty much stuck with our own tradition. What we can take from the Epiphany celebration, from the post-Christmas timing of the arrival of the Magi, is a celebration of the end of our Christmas madness and post-Christmas exhaustion and an opportunity to finally take the time to find, to behold, to worship the newborn King who came for us all.

Epiphany gives us another chance – another chance to build on the peace and blessings we experienced this Christmas season or if we missed the boat a little, a second chance to experience the grace and peace in recognizing and accepting Jesus as our Savior. I think it's good timing.

We need to latch on to the star of that first Epiphany and be renewed in all that was revealed. And we can take Epiphany and make it our own in our everyday lives by following our own stars until we too behold the face of God.

We can all take a simple page out of the Wise Men's book – have an Epiphany – Take a journey within your own heart, find the light and follow it to Jesus. Stop to pay homage and then offer yourself as a gift. Finally, continue on your journey – and like the Wise Men – having come face to face with Christ, you will continue your journey but, forever changed, you will now go a different way.

In the Name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit

Amen