The Christmas Season has come to an end. The Savior of the world has been born and yet still a baby. The chosen people of Israel have had the first opportunity to behold their King. Some have recognized Him, others have not. God the Father sent His Son for the whole world to be redeemed, not just Israel. Israel got first crack at this revelation but did not accept or understand their centuries of prayer had been answered. And now there needs to be a revelation to the gentiles...the rest of the world.....and us.
Epiphany means revelation, a showing, an idea, a presentation, a manifestation. Captain James Hook of Peter Pan says " I had an epiphany" in a sudden revelation that came to his mind in dealing with Peter Pan.
In much a similar fashion, we see the arrival in Judea of three foreigners. They came together due to an epiphany they each had from their knowledge of the heavens and the stars and prophecy that something strange and great was occurring on the earth. Signaling a possible new era of love and possible peace for the nations, and they travelled from their respective homelands to find the source of this epiphany, this manifestation. They find it in Bethlehem; they locate the infant child, and recognized him as the redeemer, the true king of kings. And as royalty, they offer Him gifts due royalty: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Imagine the facial expressions of Mary and Joseph at this sight - their son being adored by three foreigners of high positions in foreign courts. Those wise men represent us, who make up part of the rest of the world. We are privileged to have this revelation manifested to us, and know in our hearts that Jesus has come to us, to be with us, and be there for us against the tyranny of sin and evil in response to God the Father's wish that one equal to himself redeem souls of all in order to regain heavenly fellowship with the Father.
Our journey through life is an epiphany. As we go from one phase of life to another, we are shown new meaning and value to what the Lord has done for us, and we yearn for the Bethlehem of Heaven, where we too may offer in addition to the gold, frankincense and myrrh, our gifts of faith hope and love from our souls to the eternal king.
Epiphany Blessings,
The Most Rev. Joseph J. Raffaele
Archbishop and Primate – AOCC
Epiphany means revelation, a showing, an idea, a presentation, a manifestation. Captain James Hook of Peter Pan says " I had an epiphany" in a sudden revelation that came to his mind in dealing with Peter Pan.
In much a similar fashion, we see the arrival in Judea of three foreigners. They came together due to an epiphany they each had from their knowledge of the heavens and the stars and prophecy that something strange and great was occurring on the earth. Signaling a possible new era of love and possible peace for the nations, and they travelled from their respective homelands to find the source of this epiphany, this manifestation. They find it in Bethlehem; they locate the infant child, and recognized him as the redeemer, the true king of kings. And as royalty, they offer Him gifts due royalty: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Imagine the facial expressions of Mary and Joseph at this sight - their son being adored by three foreigners of high positions in foreign courts. Those wise men represent us, who make up part of the rest of the world. We are privileged to have this revelation manifested to us, and know in our hearts that Jesus has come to us, to be with us, and be there for us against the tyranny of sin and evil in response to God the Father's wish that one equal to himself redeem souls of all in order to regain heavenly fellowship with the Father.
Our journey through life is an epiphany. As we go from one phase of life to another, we are shown new meaning and value to what the Lord has done for us, and we yearn for the Bethlehem of Heaven, where we too may offer in addition to the gold, frankincense and myrrh, our gifts of faith hope and love from our souls to the eternal king.
Epiphany Blessings,
The Most Rev. Joseph J. Raffaele
Archbishop and Primate – AOCC
