Rev Christine preached a lively service for Epiphany this year, which began with a short sketch, in which she and Rev Helen played the parts of Seth and Jabez, two stable boys discussing the brief visit of the magi to Herod’s palace, whilst taking care of their camels.
She continued:
The two stable boys weren’t at all sure of what was going on. They had a job of work to do and were basically following orders, doing what they had to do to make a living and hopefully enjoying it for the most part, except poor Jabez, who disliked Camels!
To many of us here, we know how the story goes and when we think of Epiphany we immediately think of the three wise men, although we know there could have been more, but we tend to focus mainly on the three whose gifts were highlighted in Matthew.
Matthew tells us the Magi were journeying towards Bethlehem following a bright star. A star that had appeared in the East, from where the men have come but, whether they were known to each other before or met on the way to Bethlehem we don’t know.
In a dictionary we get a couple of other explanations for what Epiphany means such as “a moment when you suddenly feel that you understand, or suddenly become conscious of, something that is very important to you.”
I’ve also heard it described as an awakening, which I think is a good way to explain how the Wise Men must have felt on seeing the baby Jesus lying in a manger. They have followed this star for a while, they took a short detour to the palace of Herod, a understandable mistake as they were ultimately looking for the birth of a New King, a Prince, but God was on hand to put them on the right path after they found the baby in a manger.
All the explanations or descriptions about Epiphany have value, but I actually like the idea of an awakening. Seeing something that surprises you, something that you may have been waiting a long time for, something that takes your breath away and makes you stop and wonder. Something that creates joy and an exhilarating experience, possibly the same feeling Paul must have had after having his eyes opened after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. I’m sure that’s the sort of feeling the Wise Men must have felt on seeing this baby and I know we understand the significance of the gifts given by the Magi.
Gifts that in their own way must have affected Mary and I think Joseph also. They knew their child was special, but to receive gifts in this way from complete strangers, especially after the Shepherds had been and told them of their encounter with the Angels.
Gifts that individually signified different stories. Gold that would be offered to a King signifying wealth, Frankincense thought to signify a Priestly role or used as medicine and myrrh which was used to anoint the dead. They were certainly not the usual sort of gifts one would present to a new-born child, these were different and in their own way foretold events that were to happen.
This baby was different, a star had led the Magi to this spot, this was a sign of change, of some major events that would certainly take place involving this family, but it didn’t stop at this family, others became involved and the world was turned upside down.
Isaiah speaks of nations being brought together, because a light has appeared after the darkness of the Babylonian exile. He is speaking about “God’s Servant” who will be a light to the nations. He even speaks about his death and resurrection which will put the people in a right relationship with God.
People really had been waiting a long time for this special birth to take place for an awakening of the nations. For their eyes to be opened like Paul’s to see the Messiah who had come into the world and to learn about the mystery of Christ.
This birth was for everyone, for all nations to “become fellow-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” So, whether we are stable hands, farmers, shop workers, administrators, royalty or educators, the joy and wonder of Epiphany is here for us all to experience, through prayer, study and praise.
Let us pray;
Lord of light and love, let the radiance of your presence be a light to our path and a guide on our journey. Banish from us all deeds of darkness, that we may come to your presence and walk before you as children of light; through him who is the light of the world, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
- Sketch – “I hate Camels” by Ann Bossingham – (taken from Ideas Year A Sketches – Mike and Ann Bossingham.)
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 