Sunday, December 30, 2007

Epiphany, 6 January 2008

Torah: Genesis 14: 17-24
Prophet: Isaiah 60:1-6, 9
Writing: Tobit 11:1-12:13
Psalm: 72
Epistle: Ephesians 3:1-12
Gospel: Mathew 2:1-12
Collect: Lord God almighty, by the light of a star you guided the Magi into the presence of Yeshua to give him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. So let the light of Yeshua shine out through our hearts, that those around us would be drawn to your presence to render you homage and accept you as Lord and Saviour. This we ask in the blessed name of Yeshua haMoshiach. Amen.

As is obvious from the reading and the collect, the Feast of the Epiphany is the time in which we celebrate the Magi or Wise Men who followed a star for two years to find the King of the Jews. Their arrival percipitated the death of the Holy Innocents (celebrated 28 December), and at the same time gave Yosef and Miriam the means (gold) to escape to Egypt. In terms of development, the Epiphany is one of the oldest feasts of the church, only Easter being older. Epiphany originally combined the nativity, visit of the Magi, the baptism of Jesus and the miracle of converting wine to water at the Wedding in Caana, and this is still the emphasis in the church of Armenia which has never accepted Christmas as a liturgical celebration. Epiphany continues to be the more important feast in the East. Epiphany also marks the beginning of Epiphanytide in which we concenttrate on the miracles of Jesus, and our need to manifest him to the word. Happy Epiphany.

No comments: