(Ref. Texts: Isa 60:1–6; Eph 3:2–3.5–6; Matt 2:1–12)
“The glory of the Lord has set you ablaze with light.”
“When we think of God, we are apt to think of Him in human form. In the Epiphanies of the Old [Hebrew] Testament God revealed Himself to Joshua and others in human form. He puts Himself within the compass of our highest conception, in order that He may make Himself real to us in His love and sympathy and power” (A. C. Dixon).
Introduction
Dear friends, welcome to 2019! Like previous years, 2019 will also be a year of blessing for all of us. We thank God for making us citizens of this year. Embrace it with happiness. Live it with renewed vigour and enthusiasm. King Herod or Herod the Great was appointed king of the Jews under the Roman authority. He ruled firmly and at times ruthlessly. Motivated by his great cruelty and paranoia, he murdered his own wife, several sons, mother in-law and other relatives. He was a master builder who restored the temple in Jerusalem and built many theatres, cities, palaces, and fortresses. While he destroyed human lives, he built structures. That is the politics of the selfish and godless. In many instances, the Nigerian politicians are like King Herod in the sense that they are ruthless, godless and fundamentally corrupt. Unfortunately, many who claim to be Church leaders are in the same category. While Herod destroyed human lives and built structures, the Nigerian politicians destroy the lives of the citizens and even destroy their property without building any structures. Instead, they build their own personal structures and mansions. Similarly, many who claim to be Church leaders are seriously destroying the psychology of the misinformed and ignorant faithful whom they continuously extort financially, spiritually, morally, socially and intellectually.
While the story of the census is found only in the Gospel according to Luke, the story of the visit of the Magi is found only in Matthew. Misconceptions and legends abound about these wise men. They were not kings, but wise men. In other words, they predicted the future by the positions of the planets, sun and moon. Probably, they were not only three, but a great company. Church traditions even provide names as Melchior, Caspar, and Balthasar. Their supposed skulls could be found in a cathedral in Cologne, Germany. According to Jewish legends, Daniel as an official of the Persian government, founded the order of Magi (wise men), and instructed them to watch for the Messiah through the generations. The implication is that the entire world was in search of the Messiah, not just the Israelites. With Andrew, can we conclude that we have found the Messiah (cf. John 1:41)?
What is epiphany?
Ordinarily, epiphany refers to that very moment when a person suddenly feels that he or she understands, or suddenly becomes conscious of something that is very important. On the other hand, it is a potent religious experience. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary renders it as sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something; an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure; a revealing scene or moment. It is the appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being. According to its Greek origin, epiphany derives from epi (in this context on, upon) and phainō (show oneself, appear). While the verb is epiphainō, the noun is epiphaneia (appearance, appearing, manifestation, coming).
Metaphorically, that is, in reference to divine intervention, epiphainō means to give light, shine on or shine upon (cf. Luke 1:79). In our context, we can take epiphainō both in its ordinary and metaphorical senses. In other words, God shows himself, manifests and appears to mankind, gives light to mankind and shines upon the face of the earth to brighten and enlighten the way of the people. In this religious connotation, epiphaneia refers to January 6 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the magoi as the first manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles (cf. Matt 2:1–12) or in the Eastern Church, in commemoration of the baptism of Jesus. For Christians, epiphaneia has twofold meaning. First, it refers to the tangible appearance of Jesus on earth at the end of history. According to Paul’s description in 2Thessalonians 2:1–12, the advent of the lawless man will precede the visible appearance of the Lord Jesus. In this passage, Paul associates epiphaneia and parousia. The man of lawlessness is already at work (cf. 2Thess 2:7), but the Lord Jesus will destroy him by the splendour (epiphaneia) of his coming (parousia).[1] Secondly, Christians also applied and continues to apply epiphaneia to the earthly appearance of the Saviour in his incarnation (cf. 2Tim 1:10). And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (cf. John 1:14)
Who is a Magus?
While magi is plural, the singular form is magus. A magus is a magician or a sorcerer of the Ancient Times. In religious context, a magus is a member of a hereditary priestly class among the ancient Medes and Persians. Stated differently, magus refers to a member of the Zoroastrian priesthood of the ancient Persians. In this sense, a magus is a non-Christian priest. That is, one who performs religious ceremonies and other religious duties in a non-Christian religion especially, in the ancient Persian world. The duty of the Magi qualifies them as wise. Little is known about these Magi. All we know is that they came from the East and were journeying to Bethlehem. Since they followed the astrological sign, it would not be wrong to conclude they were astrologers from the East. Although Matthew did not say how many they were, but from the number of gifts presented to Jesus, some conclude they were at least three. This conclusion is not definite.
In the Persian and the Babylonian kingdoms, it was the custom for the wise men (Greek: magoi, plural of magos) to refer to priests and experts in matters of mysteries. This explains the reason these magoi went to Herod on their arrival to Jerusalem. However, by this time, the term magos applied to a range of people whose practices included astrology, dream interpretation, study of sacred writings, the pursuit of wisdom, and magic. Their visit especially, the reason, was not good news to King Herod. The star of the newly born king which the magoi saw recalls Balaam’s prophecy in Numbers 24:17 that “a star shall come out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel.” For the Jews, such star pointed to the messiah. The movement of the star indicates it was not a natural phenomenon. It was a supernatural arrangement meant to continue the divine superiority and control in and of the birth of the messiah. It is still the overpowering power of the El Shaddai. The arrival of this true King of the Jews presents a threat to Herod the Great’s throne and to Israel’s corrupt religious and political leadership in Jerusalem.
In many Christian countries including Nigeria, the memorial of the birth of the messiah means an increase in corruption and evil both in the civil and religious circles. Instead of seeking for spiritual gain and growth, Christians seek for material gain. This explains the reason for the hike in prices of goods and transportation during the Christmas celebration. Other examples of the Christian Christmas abnormalities abound.