Pathways Press.com

Written by Joyce Borger, a contemporary minister and teacher.

Epiphany marks the conclusion of the Christmas season, but many Christmas themes carry over into the season of Epiphany. Traditionally, this is the day when we remember the Magi, who followed the star that announced Christ’s birth. It is the day where we recall that Christ’s birth was not only for the Jews, but that Christ came to save all people. While many people around the baby Jesus went about their lives, these Magi knew that something important had happened, that a king had been born. The Spirit was at work in their hearts and minds, guiding them to Bethlehem where they worshiped their young savior. Oh, what good news is found on Epiphany when we declare that we too are grafted into Christ the root—the source of all life! … The prophecy from Isaiah talks of the light in the darkness, of kings and nations coming to that light, bringing gifts of frankincense and gold. The gospel text from Matthew 2 is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, for indeed kings or magi from distant nations came and worshiped their Savior, Christ, who is the light of the world, and they brought with them gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Although foretold in the Old Testament, it is still a startling act of God’s generous love and mercy that non-Jews came and worshiped the Messiah and that the promise of salvation extends to them directly. These likely were people of a different race, language, and culture. They were the “other,” the “outsider,” the one “to be feared.” Yet, in Romans 11, Paul reminds us that as non-Jews we are blessed to be grafted into the shoot of the living tree, the root of Jesse. We are blessed to receive spiritual nourishment just as if we were a natural part of the shoot. In fact, scripture clearly teaches that all people are to be included in his kingdom and that there is a special place for those who are considered “less than”.   Epiphany celebrates the gift of the gospel that has gone out to all people. It celebrates the fact that we have been grafted into the shoot and calls us to acknowledge that those we often consider “the other” or “less than” are equally welcomed. In fact, we ought to go out of our way to make sure that the most vulnerable know that they belong through our care of them. After all, Christ came so that all may belong. 

Lift up your eyes and look around;  they all gather together; they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried in their nurses’ arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you; the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord. [Isaiah 60:4-6]