Epiphany bonus readings

Isaiah 60.1-6 The prophet speaks of an earth-shattering light that bursts into this mire of darkness that had seemed intent on overtaking everything. It is so powerful that everything is drawn to it. Those at war now come together in awestruck peace, and the light brings abundance and life with it to all within its glow.

Psalm 72.1-7, 10-14 The psalmist offers a prayer on behalf of their king and his people, wishing for peace, honour, bounty, and generosity for the poor. Like the light in Isaiah and Jesus in Matthew are portrayed, the psalm depicts a longing for a leader who will be a ‘king of kings’, one who causes all others in power to kneel in respect and deference.

Ephesians 3.1-12 Paul describes himself as a prisoner for Christ, as that is the depth of his commitment to the gospel message. Although he is helplessly bound to Christ in every way, he still sees the revelation of the mystery of what Jesus is about as a great privilege. While he does find power in his role in the way of the gospel is playing out, he still considers himself to be a servant more than a figurehead. Part of the mystery that is revealed is that God's grace has been broken out of the tribal favouritism and is now available to everyone.  

Matthew 2.1-12 The wise men hear of the birth of a new Jewish king, so they come to Herod, the regional ruler, to ask about him.  Herod, of course, acts intrigued but actually sees this as an insurgent threat and asks them to let him know when they find the new-born. They come to Jesus, bring him gifts, and then leave in secret, as they have been warned in a dream not to share Jesus’s whereabouts with Herod.

Midian\Ephah\Sheba Ephah is a son of Midian, who is a descendant of Abraham. So this Isaiah text is describing a tribal territory identified with the tribes from Abraham’s descendants. This is a region that would have likely been known as a source for frankincense and maybe myrrh. Sheba is a region known for its gold and spices. This ties them to the gifts described in the Matthew text. 

Tarshish A remote region used as an example to show how far away other rulers would come from to offer tribute to the king of the Israelites.

Gold/Frankincense/Myrrh—Gold is a symbol of royalty. This is a reference to the fact that Jesus will be seen as a king among kings. Frankincense is a perfume that would have been used in sacred rituals by priests, alluding to Jesus’s role as a spiritual leader as well. Myrrh is an oil that was often used to anoint bodies at the time of burial, so this is a reference to the significance of Jesus’s death.

The Matthew text is a study in contrasts of how power responds to God’s revelation in the world. The wise men are brought together by this news and drawn to this new king by this compelling celestial light, while Herod—fearful of the loss of his own power—seeks to snuff out this threat to his authority. 

We see these diametrically opposite reactions to God’s revealing truth all of the time. While some people allow themselves to be forever changed by it, others who refuse the opportunity to be transformed feel their only recourse is to respond with force and violence to extinguish any potential for real change in their lives. So the light of transformation in itself isn’t enough; it requires a willingness of those of us it shines on to take it in and allow it to become part of us.

It is God Himself, personally present and redeemingly active, who comes to meet men in this Man of Nazareth. Jesus is more than a religious genius, such as George Fox, and more than a holy man, such as the lovable Lana in Kipling’s Kim. He himself knows that  he is more. The Gospel story is a tree rooted in the familiar soil of time and sense; but its roots go down into the Abyss and its branches fill the Heavens; given to us in terms of a country in the Eastern Mediterranean no bigger than Wales, during the Roman Principate of Tiberius Caesar in the first century of our era, its range is universal; it is on the scale of eternity. God's presence and his very Self were made manifest in the words and works of this Man. In short, the Man Christ Jesus has the decisive place in man's ageless relationship with God. He is what God means by ‘Man’. He is what man means by ‘God’.    J. S. Whale

Down by the Jordan, a prophet named John was baptizing,

Preaching a message the people found bold and surprising:

"God will forgive! Show that you'll change how you live!

Surely God's new day is rising!"

There by the river, the crowd came with great expectation:

"Are you God's Chosen One, sent here to rescue our nation?"

"No!" John replied. "He who is mightier than I

Judges and offers salvation."

Jesus, you went to be baptized along with the others,

Taking your place among sinners, God's lost sons and daughters.

Then with great love, God's Spirit came as a dove!

Your work began in those waters.

Here in the Church, we are baptized and filled with God's Spirit.

Freed and forgiven, we're welcomed with joy! Can you hear it?

This is God's sign! This is how God says, "You're mine!"

Let's take the good news and share it!

Does God remember me personally? I hate to admit it, but I have had this thought. Recently, my life was in transition and doubt as I found myself in a new culture. Complicating my transition, I had the responsibility of ministering to colleagues who had been in various crises, including a kidnapping, armed robbery and assault, death of a missionary child, multiple medical evacuations and emergency surgery. 

I learned that taking breaks were essential to my mental and spiritual health. So, on my birthday, I went with friends to the beach. I went not to swim, but for a chance to see dolphins. In more than three years, neither my friends nor I had seen one. 

As we lounged on the beach, my friend tried to encourage me about my impending stateside assignment and how I would be able to share how Jesus was working in Benin (beh-NIN). She reminded me that today, my birthday, people were praying for me specifically.

 As we watched the waves, I reflected on her words. Suddenly, about 100 yards offshore, a dolphin appeared! I saw his nose, fin and tail as he arched through the air. I shouted, “Hallelujah; thank You, Jesus!” During the next hour, we watched about a dozen dolphins with their young. 

What a birthday present! I received presents and many cards, but only the Lord could arrange such a display of His splendour to me so personally. Happy birthday, Judy! I love you. 

Our God remembers us personally and loves to remind us that He is indeed our caring Father. —JUDY, WEST AFRICA

We can see connections in this prophetic text to lots of other Scriptures, including the first creation story in Genesis and the first chapter in John’s Gospel, both of which emphasize the imposition of light into darkness, not only pushing the darkness back, but also calling things together and into being. But we can’t ignore that this comes up during the season of Epiphany. In particular, it’s hard to ignore that the author talks about two of the gifts the wise men are said to have brought to Jesus, also described in our Matthew text. This is not a coincidence, of course, as Matthew is making sure we think back to that Isaiah text. Remember that Matthew is particularly interested in making sure the audience sees Jesus’s arrival as the fulfilment of ancient prophecy about a coming Messiah.

 But in this Epiphany story, it’s easy to get hung up on the kings and their gifts. After all, they’re probably dressed really well, and the swag they’re giving to the Holy Family is impressive. But they aren’t what Epiphany is about, any more than the nations being drawn toward God’s light are the point of the Isaiah text. 

The point is the light that is drawing them all together. This notion of a single source causing everyone to stop in their tracks, to reassess what’s important in their lives, and to radically change course is remarkable. We rarely talk about it, but kings of different territories were not necessarily the best of buddies. Think of how often the different tribes and regions are in conflict throughout the Psalms alone. And in Isaiah, we’ve had two chapters replete with darkness, struggle, and conflict leading up to this. And now all of a sudden, light breaks through and everything changes.

 It’s all too easy to clean our hands of the Christmas business and move on to the next thing. I talked to a pastor just last week who noted that his church didn’t even recognize Epiphany. Come December 26, the decorations were packed up, loaded out, and we were back to normal until Lent.

 But we can’t go back to normal; that’s the whole point. The terms of our own individual lives and those we share in community have been, and are still being, rewritten. To revert to our old ways after the Christmas disruption is to deny the very meaning of the event itself. 

The point wasn’t the people in their Christmas best, nor was it the gifts, be they under a tree or in packs on the backs of camels. We have to stop, really look, and allow the awe of the big shift that has just taken place in the universe. Then we have figure out how we now become agents, or co-conspirators in facilitating that shift from now on.

God, I’m not exactly the poster-boy for what the good Christian is supposed to look like. Will you accept a work in progress? Amen

How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Prayer of a Mother

I gave you life, but cannot live it for you

I can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn

I can give you directions, but I cannot be there to lead you

I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it

I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe

I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for you

I can buy you beautiful clothes, but I cannot make you beautiful inside 

I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you 

I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you

I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish 

I can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honour

I can advise you about friends, but cannot choose them for you

I can advise you about sex, but I cannot keep you pure

I can tell you the facts of life, but I can't build your reputation 

I can tell you about drink, but I can't say “no" for you

I can warn you about drugs, but I can't prevent you from using them

I can tell you about lofty goals, but I can't achieve them for you

I can teach you about kindness, but I can't force you to be gracious 

I can warn you about sins, but I cannot make you moral

I can love you as a child, but I cannot place you in God's family 

I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God 

I can teach you about Jesus, but I cannot make Jesus your Lord 

I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life