“Epiphany,” also known as “Three Kings Day” or “Twelfth Day,” falls on the 12th day after Christmas. The word means “manifestation” or “revelation” and is commonly linked in Western Christianity to the visit of the wise men to the Christ-child, and thus Jesus’ physical manifestation to the Gentiles. Eastern Christians commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, seen as His manifestation to the world as the Son of God.
This Christian feast day celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ … an amazing, profound reality!
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14
“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” – Philippians 2:5-7
“He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” – Hebrews 2:17
Christmas trees may be dismantled or discarded, the garland and wreaths packed in boxes, lights removed from the eaves and stowed in the garage, but the reality of Immanuel … “God with us” … lives on in our lives!
We may have already “hit the ground running” into 2014 … with people to see, places to go, and appointments to keep … but let’s take a moment to reflect on the reality of Jesus in our lives.
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Celebrate Epiphany today!
Grace & Truth
~ tr
OC Bereans 
Tim, thanks for this post. I’ve always thought it a bit odd that we celebrate Christ’s birth before and on Christmas day, but then stop all the carols and celebrating. Of course, if we were Orthodox Christians on the Julian calendar, we’d be celebrating Christmas on January 7. Perhaps this is all a sign of how we’ve adopted the rhythm of how the world celebrates Christmas rather than the rhythm of church history and understanding.
By: Rick Hardy on January 6, 2014
at 4:31 pm