In the church calendar, Epiphany is the season beginning 12 days after Christmas or January 6th. It celebrates the revelation of God incarnate in Jesus to the Gentiles as represented by the visit of the Magi (Three Kings or Wise Men) who found Jesus in Bethlehem by way of the star and worshipped him there. Christ came as the "light of the world," to reveal the true nature of God in a knowable, human form, God Immanuel "God is with us"!
We read about it in Matthew 2:1–12
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during the rule of King Herod, magi came from the east to Jerusalem. 2 They asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We’ve seen his star in the east, and we’ve come to honor him.”
3 When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, and everyone in Jerusalem was troubled with him. 4 He gathered all the chief priests and the legal experts and asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They said, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is what the prophet wrote:
6 You, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
by no means are you least among the rulers of Judah,
because from you will come one who governs,
who will shepherd my people Israel.”
7 Then Herod secretly called for the magi and found out from them the time when the star had first appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you’ve found him, report to me so that I too may go and honor him.” 9 When they heard the king, they went; and look, the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. 11 They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him. Then they opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Because they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route.
The word, epiphany means:
revelation, a 'turning on of a light,' providing clarity.
A powerful religious experience.
An illuminating discovery, realization or disclosure.
Epiphany begins January 6th and ends Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, February 22nd.
January 6 is Epiphany, the day we celebrate the manifestation of God incarnate through Jesus. On this day, the church marks the journey of the Magi to find Jesus, guided by a star.
On the Sunday after Epiphany every year, we choose a Star "Word" to reflect on, ponder and let guide us in the coming year. These may include words like: patience, joy, peace, lovingkindness, mercy, acceptance, faith, forgiveness, etc.
Come to worship to receive your Star Word for 2023
or contact us and we will happily send you one.
Then the star appeared again, the same star
they had seen in the eastern skies.
It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child.
They could hardly contain themselves:
They were in the right place!
They had arrived at the right time!
—Matthew 3:9-10, The Message
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