January 6, 2025
Epiphany - Part 1
Matthew 2:1-2
01/06/2025
1 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.'' (ESV)
Today is the Feast of the Epiphany, the day where the Church
celebrates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus. Because
the Magi, the Wise Men, were not Jewish, today is often called
the Gentile's Christmas.
Epiphany comes from the Greek word which means ``dawn'' or
``sunrise.'' It is an unveiling, a revealing, or an appearance.
During the Epiphany season, which lasts from January 6 to the
Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, we see how Jesus is revealed as
both true God and true man.
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, 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.''
Since before the days of the Babylonian Captivity, six
hundred years before the birth of Jesus, the sages of Babylon and
Persia were astronomers. While the children of Israel lived in
Babylon, Daniel and several other Jews rose to positions of power
in the court. The Magi would have known about the prophecies of
the Messiah, and would study the stars to seek wisdom.
When a star appeared in the appropriate place in the sky,
the Magi saw the sign that a new King was born in Israel. They
went seeking for this king.
Please join us at Trinity this evening, at 7:00 p.m. for the
Epiphany Service with Saint Paul, Fulda, where we will hear more
about the Magi. May our Lord continue to bless you with faith
and wisdom. Amen.