The Feast of the Epiphany

Although many churches celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany last Sunday, the actual feast day is today.

What does it mean to have an epiphany? Webster’s dictionary defines “epiphany” as “a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something.” In Christian belief it is the manifestation of Jesus, true God and true man. The 12-day period between Christmas and Epiphany (the twelve days of Christmas) is thought to be the time it took the three wise men to follow the star to Bethlehem to worship the Christ child. This may be a compaction of time; possibly the wise men didn’t catch up to him until much later. Hence, Herod killing the male children under 2 years of age. 

Whenever it was that they saw Him, they brought him gifts which not only represented the finest items they had to offer, but a renunciation of their belief in magic, alchemy, and other pagan practices. Of the three, myrrh would seem to be the oddest. Gold is precious as currency. Frankincense was used as a valuable perfume. But myrrh was used as an ointment in the burial process. What a strange thing to bring to a baby for his birthday. Once again we see why Jesus was born – to save us from our sins by His life, death, and resurrection. The Incarnation and the Passion are inexorably linked.

In 1857 an episcopal minister, John Henry Hopkins, Jr. wrote the song “Three Kings of Orient,” better known to us as “We Three Kings.” The three solo verses by the three wise men are seldom sung, so here is the entire lyric.

We three kings of Orient are,

Bearing gifts we traverse afar,

Field and fountain, moor and mountain,

Following yonder star.

O, star of wonder, star of night

Star with royal beauty bright 

Westward leading, still proceeding

Guide us to thy perfect light.

Born a king on Bethlehem plain,

Gold I bring to crown Him again,

King forever, Ceasing never

Over us all to reign.

Frankincense to offer have I,

Incense owns a Deity nigh:

Prayer and praising All men raising,

Worship Him God on high.

Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume

Breathes a life of gathering gloom; - 

Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,

Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

Glorious now behold Him arise,

King and God, and Sacrifice;

Heav’n sings Hallelujah:

Hallelujah the earth replies.