Epiphany Reflection #2
Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. Eph. 3:2-6
Today is epiphany Sunday and an important day in the church calendar…it is a time of arrival, a moment of sudden revelation or insight. Epiphany marks arrival of the three kings or magi at the cradle of Christ
Have you ever wondered why the three magi offered gold, frankincense and myrrh to baby Jesus?
I mean a baby, what can a baby do with gold, frankincense or myrrh?
Knowing that it was a baby they were going to visit surely an appropriate gift would’ve been in order. What do we give our friends when their children are born? some clothes, a large cuddly bear, some nappies or maybe something for mum…the tradition in our church is to cook a meal for the family for the first week or two, a well prepared Lasagna or a piping hot shepherd’s pie symbolizes the care and love which we can give each other….and what a gift that is in today’s world.
And like this, the three magi had three key epiphanies that are reflected in the gifts for Jesus.
Gold was a gift that was fit for a King. The magi understood Jesus as their King. Frankincense was a gift fit for a priest. The magi understood Jesus to be a priest, the advocate, intercessor between God and man.
And myrrh, myrrh was used to embalm the dead so they must’ve understood that He would die for the salvation of mankind.
The magi were gentiles like you and I. They were not Jews, not from Gods chosen race, and their epiphany led them to seek the manifestation, that is the real event and action of the birth of Jesus, that brings a new insight to all human beings.
So…an arrival, an epiphany…
And in light of Jesus, let’s pray that we receive insights for our new year…
