According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word epiphany has several meanings. Capitalized, Epiphany is a "church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles." Epiphany with a small "e" can mean "an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being" or "a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something." Today's celebration, The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, encompasses all the meanings that the Merriam-Webster Dictionary presents. It is the Church festival commemorating the visit of the Magi to the child Jesus. It is about the manifestation of God's divine glory to all the people of the world. And for the Magi and for us it is a sign of our perception that something extraordinary, something awesome, something truly miraculous happened in Bethlehem. God our heavenly Father came down from Heaven to live with us, to share his life with us, to become one of us. God burst into our world as a human baby. God stepped into human history as a very real person. God became Emmanuel; God is with us. Tomorrow we will commemorate another epiphany when we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord.
The Magi had a star to guide them to Jesus. They saw the star when it first appeared and they followed it. When the star "stopped over the place where the child was"(Matt. 2:9); the Magi knew they had arrived at the right place. Overjoyed, they entered the house, prostrated themselves and worshiped Jesus. They gave him gifts fit for a King. Then they went home. We don't know what they did after their amazing journey. Nor do we know what they did with their newfound knowledge. What we do know is that God chose to reveal his divine nature to them even though they were foreigners from strange lands.
These events we commemorate today happened thousands of years ago. Yet here we are today, in Peachtree City, Georgia worshipping the very same Jesus the Magi visited. How did we get here? I am confident that no one followed a star to our parish. In Matthew 5:14 Jesus told his followers and He tells us, "You are the light of the world." He goes on to say, "your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father"(Matt. 5:16). Each one of us is called to be a guiding star and each one of us is called to be an epiphany. Just as God revealed himself to the Magi through the child, Jesus, we are called to reveal Jesus to everyone we encounter. In his Letter to the Ephesians St. Paul said, "Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth"(Ephesians 5:8-9). As Christians, we are called to manifest God's unconditional love, God's compassion, God's mercy and God's peace to our world. Let's pray that the light and the love of Christ Jesus, Emmanuel, God is with us will shine through us and draw all people to Him.
Father, we your people rise up in splendor,
for your light has come; your glory now shines upon us.
We are grateful for this light, who is Jesus Christ, your Son.
Make our lives radiant with that same brightness
and help us walk as one in your light.
Open our eyes that we may recognize you in all the signs you send us.
All glory be to you, FATHER, through your SON Jesus Christ,
who draws all people to himself that together with the SPIRIT
we might give you praise,
forever and ever.
AMEN.
