Epiphany

Today, January 6, is Epiphany. This church festival marks the arrival of the magi - not kings or even wise men, but likely Persian astrologers and mystics who traveled far to worship the Christ child. Their journey was guided by the light of a star, and this theme of light and revelation and the presence of God carries through this church season. In the readings for worship over the following weeks, we will hear how God’s presence and glory and radiance are revealed among us - through the life and ministry of Jesus, and in God’s ongoing revelation to God’s people throughout salvation history and still today.


Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash

But, back to the magi - when we imagine the Christmas story, we picture them already arrived at the creche, gifts in hand, accompanied by a few camels for good measure. But that’s only a snapshot of the whole story, and perhaps not even an accurate one. The magi - maybe three, but more likely a whole caravan, men and women - do finally reach the infant king, Jesus, only they find him not in the manger, but in a house. They do finally reach the infant king, Jesus, but only after first encountering the fearful, loose cannon King Herod.

I can’t decide which is the most remarkable part of this story. There’s the surprising piece that foreigners - from a different land, and a different religion - dedicate themselves to months of arduous travel to bring costly gifts for someone else’s newborn king. Then there’s the astonishing part that these foreign mystics have the bravery and audacity to defy the ruthless King Herod by going home by another road. 

But perhaps the most remarkable thing is not so much about the magi at all. Perhaps the most remarkable thing is what this story tells us about how God is at work in the world. God does not choose to be born in a palace. God does not choose to first reveal the arrival of God’s son to the powerful men of that day, whether kings or chief priests or scribes. No, God comes to dwell with the humble and the lowly and the weak. God’s arrival is announced to outsiders, to foreigners, and to those without power. 

Perhaps you, too, have been surprised by the unexpected ways God is at work in the world. Perhaps you, too, have been surprised by the unexpected people who are drawn to worship God, the unexpected people who show God’s radiance through their words and deeds. Sometimes, it's even us - sinful, lost, hurting, uncertain. Remarkable, indeed.


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