Epiphany (Greek) means “manifestation” or “striking appearance.” Theophany (Ancient Greek) means a “vision of God.” Epiphany is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ.
In Western Christianity, the feast commemorates principally (but not solely) the visit of the Magi to the Christ child, and thus Jesus’ physical manifestation to the Gentiles. Eastern Christians commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, seen as His manifestation to the world as the Son of God. The miracle at the Wedding at Cana is also celebrated during Epiphany as a first manifestation of Christ’s public life.
In these traditions, the essence of the feast is the same: the manifestation of Christ to the world (whether as an infant or in the Jordan) and the Mystery of the Incarnation.
In some Western Christian denominations, especially in the past and in the present-day Church of England, the feast of the Epiphany also initiates a liturgical season of Epiphanytide. The traditional date for the feast is January 6. However, since 1970, the celebration is held in some countries on the first Sunday after January 1.
Our scripture lesson this week is focused on the Magi seeking diligently the star in the sky. They have an Epiphany experience when they meet the Christ-child in the manger scene. Face to face they meet God incarnate. Their lives are forever changed.
We all experienced a little of this light at the Christmas Eve candlelight service. The journey for us is to continue to seek and search for more intimacy with Christ. We are to be vessels of light in our dark world. In our seeking Christ our lives are illuminated, and all of a sudden, like the Magi, we have an Epiphany experience. Christ is revealed or manifested in a new light in our lives. Our lives are forever changed.
It is my prayer that you will start the New Year off by “seeking the light.” It is my hope that Hyde Park Community UMC will be a beacon of light in our community, our city and the world. May we become an incarnational church filled with the “light and love” of Jesus Christ, so others seeking Christ may have an Epiphany transformational experience too.
Happy seeking in 2015! In the name of the One we follow, Jesus, the Christ!
Blessings,
Dave