The Feast of the Epiphany of our Lord
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying: „Where is He who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw His star when it rose and have arrived to worship Him.“ (Matthew 2,1-2)
Epiphany brings to close the 12-day Christmas season we've been celebrating since December 24th. Christmas focused on Jewishness of Jesus, telling us how His birth fulfilled the promises of God to save His fallen creation. Epiphany focuses on the Gentileness of Jesus, telling us that people from other nations longed for, watched for and worshiped His arrival. The magi are the first recorded Gentiles to visit Jesus and worship Him. They would not be the last.
John tells us that Jesus is the Light of the world who overcomes the darkness. At His birth, God puts a star in the heavens to announce His Son's birth. Starlight heralds the arrival of the True Light. Another light would prepare the way for Jesus, that being John the Baptizer. And so Epiphany is bookmarked by the lesser lights heralding the Great Light.
During Epiphany we see Jesus manifesting His Divine nature in His public ministry.
Prayer: O God, by the leading of a star You made know Your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles. Lead us, who know You by faith, to enjoy heaven the fullness of Your Divine presence; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen. (L11, Treasury of Daily Prayer)
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