It might have been just someone else’s story,

Some chosen people get a special king.

We leave them to their own peculiar glory,

We don’t belong, it doesn’t mean a thing.

But when these three arrive they bring us with them,

Gentiles like us, their wisdom might be ours;

A steady step that finds an inner rhythm,

A pilgrim’s eye that sees beyond the stars.

They did not know his name but still they sought him,

They came from otherwhere but still they found;

In temples they found those who sold and bought him,

But in the filthy stable, hallowed ground.

Their courage gives our questing hearts a voice

To seek, to find, to worship, to rejoice.



- Malcolm Guite, “Epiphany” 

“Epiphany” comes from a Greek word meaning manifestation or appearance. Our Feast of Epiphany on January 6 marks the arrival of the Magi, wise men who made their way to Bethlehem to worship the Christ Child. It’s a major feast day and a time of celebration; but I think it’s important to remember that our rejoicing involves more than a well-loved song, some symbol-rich gifts and a King’s Cake (as much as we might enjoy good cake!). 

Until now the story of the coming Messiah has been confined to Israel and God’s covenanted people. From the angel’s first appearance to Zechariah, and all the events that follow, exclusively involved faithful Jews hearing and responding to God. Now suddenly, miraculously, we learn of Gentile foreigners who were summoned by the appearance of a star, and traveled many miles until they found the One they sought.

This is the special mystery and joy of Epiphany: that the appearance of Christ is not limited to or intended for only one small, oppressed group of people. Rather, the glory of “the Word made flesh” - God’s love in all its fullness dwelling among us- is for all humanity. 

May our questing hearts know this love, and find ways to give it a voice.

God's peace,
Jane+