Epiphany - Jan. 6th

Luke 2:21-38
21 And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child,[e] His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD”),[f] 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”[g]

25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
29 “ Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33 And Joseph and His mother[h] marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years,[i] who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord,[j] and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Matthew 2: 1-11
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Today is the Epiphany, which means appearance, manifestation or revelation. It is a Christian feast day that celebrates Christ being revealed as King through the Magi (3 wise men). It is also known as Three Kings Day. Some churches recognize this time also as the day of Jesus’ baptism and the marriage supper in Canaan. Epiphany is a Season of the Church Year and lasts from the end of the Christmas season (Epiphany) until Ash Wednesday, when Lent begins.

Although Jesus came first to Israel, from the beginning the plan of salvation was for all mankind: the Jew and the Gentile. We see this through the truth spoken by Simeon in Jerusalem and also the prophetess. The Magi who came in search of Jesus, the king also are a testament of his salvation for the gentiles. The Magi were not of Jewish descent. Yet, they brought gifts and bore witness of his kingdom to all.
Today we celebrate Epiphany; the day that was made known to us that Jesus came to save all people. We praise him and thank Him, for it is His blood that will be shed so that we may have salvation.

**Our Celebration
1. A nice dinner (oriental flair), followed by dessert of “3 King’s Cake”.
2. Blessing the house as a family, that the Holy Spirit may guide us, just as the star guided the Magi.
3. Mark our front door with chalk 20 C M B 10 (C M B, are the initials of the Magi, but also refers to "Christus Mansionem Benedicat," meaning "May Christ bless this dwelling.")