Epiphany—Celebrating the Magi
A carving representing the Magi visiting the infant Jesus.
Today is a the date Christians in the Western world celebrate “Epiphany.” What is that? The word means “to manifest, or make known” and it refers to the arrival of the Magi to see the infant Jesus. Their coming was in response to a star they had seen while in their eastern homeland (probably Persia). This star was known to them to be the sign of an important birth: the arrival of the “King of the Jews.”
Everything about this story is remarkable, and prompts as many questions as it gives answers. Here are just few for us to contemplate.
“Who were they?” Most likely they were astronomer/astrologers, studying the movements of heavenly bodies and interpreting them based on wisdom long lost to us, but apparently available and accurate in their day. Of great significance is that they are not Jewish. The first worshipers to come to Jesus from beyond Bethlehem were Gentiles.
“Where were they from?” Most likely Persian, they may represent the continuing line of “wise men” who advised rulers in Persia and Babylon before that. Interestingly, one of their most famous “forefathers” as wise men was Daniel, from whom much knowledge might have come down to them—he was, after all, a prophet of the true God-given visions of the future. Perhaps Daniel had influenced some of his fellow magi to pay attention to the stars for signs of a coming Jewish King.
“What were the gifts all about?” Well, one would not show up empty-handed to honor a king, and this was more than a king in their eyes because they came to worship him, even though he was not “their” king. Gold is an obviously valuable gift. Frankincense and myrrh were very costly aromatics—one might have been like incense, the other an ointment. Both were expensive. By the way, it is the three gifts named that give us the number we associate with the magi. We say there were three, but there could have been many more—the ancient Eastern tradition has twelve magi. It would not be a stretch to believe that the wealth of these gifts is what sustained Joseph, Mary, and Jesus when they had to flee Herod’s murderous intentions, traveling to Egypt and living there until Herod’s death.
Epiphany is a feast day in the Church to honor the Magi for their faith and generosity. The most common tradition associated with it was the giving of gifts—Christmas was not originally the day in this season when gifts were exchanged. The twelve days of Christmas end the day before Epiphany. But what is especially exciting to celebrate is the news that the King of the Jews was not just a King or Savior for the Jews but for people from all nations who would come to worship him—people like most of us! And this story of Gentile worshipers comes to us through the Gospel of Matthew—the most “Jewish” gospel of the four.
“Happy Epiphany!”
