The Lesson of the Ephany

 

Recently, a friend asked me what is the Epiphany? He asked because the church he attends does not celebrate this holiday. In an attempt to answer his questions, and perhaps others I decided to dedicate this blog to the Epiphany.

Epiphany, (from Greek epiphaneia, “manifestation”), Christian holiday commemorating the first manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, represented by the Magi, and the manifestation of his divinity, as it occurred at his baptism in the Jordan River and at his first miracle, at Cana in Galilee. Epiphany is one of the three principal and oldest festival days of the Christian church (the other two are Easter and Christmas).  Anglicans, Catholics, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Methodist, and other Western churches observe the feast on January 6.

The festival originated in the Eastern church, where it at first included a commemoration of Christ’s birth. In Rome, by 354 Christ’s birth was being celebrated on December 25 (Christmas), and later in the 4th century the church in Rome began celebrating Epiphany on January 6. In the Western church the festival primarily commemorates the visit by the Magi to the infant Jesus, which is seen as evidence that Christ, the Jewish Messiah, came also for the salvation of Gentiles. In the East it primarily commemorates the baptism of Jesus and celebrates the revelation that the incarnate Christ was both fully God and fully man.

In the West the evening preceding Epiphany is called Twelfth Night. The time between December 25 and January 6 is known as the Twelve Days of Christmas. Epiphany is celebrated with special pastries in many countries, and children often receive small gifts in their shoes in honor of the Magi’s gifts to the infant Jesus. The holiday also has a number of traditions involving water as a reflection of Jesus’ baptism, including the blessing of houses with holy water.

Subsequent traditions embellished the narrative. As early as the 3rd century they were considered to be kings, probably interpreted as the fulfillment of the prophecy in Psalms 72:11 (“May all kings fall down before him”). In about the 8th century the names of three Magi—Bithisarea, Melichior, and Gathaspa—appear in a chronicle known as the Excerpta latina barbari. They have become known most commonly as Balthasar, Melchior, and Gaspar (or Casper). According to Western church tradition, Balthasar is often represented as a king of Arabia or sometimes Ethiopia, Melchior as a king of Persia, and Gaspar as a king of India.

The Magi came from "the East," likely ancient Babylon or Persia (modern-day Iran), a region known for astrology, where Daniel previously served as chief of the Magi under Nebuchadnezzar, making it plausible they knew his prophecies, including messianic ones like the "star coming out of Jacob," which guided their long journey to find Jesus. While the Bible doesn't specify their exact homeland, Persia is a common scholarly consensus due to the historical connection and the term Magi itself. 

Connection to Daniel

While the Bible does not explicitly state that the specific Magi who visited Jesus were directly taught by Daniel, there is a strong scholarly theory connecting them to his influence.

Daniel's Role: The prophet Daniel held a high office in the Babylonian court around 600 years before Jesus' birth, where he was made the "chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon" (Daniel 2:48).

Passing Down Prophecy: In his position of authority, Daniel would have made his prophecies and knowledge of the Jewish scriptures known to the magi class. It is highly probable that the messianic prophecies, including the timing of the Messiah's arrival and the prophecy of a "star out of Jacob" (Numbers 24:17), were preserved and passed down among the magi, leading them to recognize the sign in the heavens centuries later.

Thus, the Magi who followed the star were likely acting on knowledge that originated from the prophet Daniel's teachings and writings, preserved through generations. For those who have experienced the frost of many winters, it is important for us to teach those in our circle of acquaintance the lessons we have learned. So what do we learn from the Ephany? Well, some of the lessons are:

1. Jesus is manifested as GOD's light to all people, teaching us to seek GOD, follow divine guidance even when life is difficult.

2. Often, you will find GOD in unexpected places.

3. Seek God actively.

4. Offer our best selves in worship.

Several years ago, a student wanted to make a tie rack for their grandfather. So, we went to the shop and:

• I helped them draw out the design.
• I had oak lumber to use.
• I had sand paper and dowel rods.
• I had gloves, rages, and brushes.
• I had hangers so he could place it wherever he wanted.
• I had stain and finish so she could finish it when completed.

 

We had everything they needed to build an heirloom. I planned on us working in the morning and sanding the project. Next, they would apply the stain, then we would go eat lunch. The next day we could apply the lacquer, bringing the project to a high finish. But the student had another idea/dream for the project. Now they built it close to the plan, but here was the difference. They wanted to paint it black. Now, remember I purchased oak lumber, which is one of the costliest of lumber species. And my student was going to paint it black. Now, as they began to work, they began to be anxious and speed up the process, and the cuts were not exact. The holes for the dowel rods were not incrementally placed. They did not spend the time sanding the project. Now we come to the paint, they took the same amount of time painting as they did sanding. Now I admit that the tie rack is possibly their grandfathers’ greatest treasures. My point is that the finished product was not a shadow of what it could have been. Isn’t that the way we are? 

1. GOD has a dream for you.
2. God is a grand designer.
3. GOD has unlimited resources.
4. GOD has taken everything into account we need.

Yet, what do we do? We reject his designs and follow our design.

We put no thought into the resources; all we want to do is move on to something else. 

As I began to put my thoughts on paper, I prayed and searched the scriptures for a ray of hope. I longed for something positive to remind me, and hopefully you, of all that is just and true in humanity. Then I heard in my heart as clearly as you are listening to me? "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones to death those who have been sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you people were unwilling! “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).

Have you ever wondered why GOD refers to us as sheep? Sheep were domesticated by humans around 10,000 BC. They were among the first animals domesticated. Sheep are precocial, gregarious animals. Precocial means they have a high degree of independence at birth. Gregarious means they flock together or like to be with a group. Sheep are social animals. The most important reason they like to flock together is for protection. Sheep are timid, nervous, and easily frightened animals and for the most part defenseless against predators such as wolves and wild dogs. Their only means of survival is to flock together in large numbers and to run away from predators. For this reason, shepherds are able to use dogs to move sheep around. For you see, sheep will consider the dog a predator, flock together for protection, and move away from the danger. Now, here is something that really hurts my pride, sheep rank in intelligence just below the pig. Sheep react to situations they encounter using instincts that have developed; they perform as they always have. Sheep see in color. The average sheep has a field of vision of 270 degrees; however, they have poor depth perception. For this reason, sheep will avoid shadows or harsh contrasts between light and dark. They will move towards the light. Sheep have an excellent sense of hearing. They are more sensitive to high-frequency noise than humans and get scared by loud noises. When sheep are on their back, they will need to be helped, because they can't get up from a prone or dead level position.

 

I am a very competitive person by nature; perhaps you are. No one likes to lose. Second place is equal to a 1^st place looser in my book of rules. One of the most difficult lessons I have learned is:

 In the grand scheme of life, it does not matter who wins. 

 

If you want to win, then discover the dream GOD has for you. Surround yourself with wise counsel who have your best interests at heart. Then remember each day:

 

• Titles and honors are fleeting, be meek 
• Talent is God-given, be humble 
• Fame is man-given, be thankful 
• Conceit is self-serving, be careful

 

I have often imagined how Jesus must have felt the first time he beheld Jerusalem, that great city, teeming with more people than the little town of Nazareth. In the gospel of John, it says Jesus went from Galilee to Jerusalem three times during his earthly ministry. It is highly likely Jesus would have been to Jerusalem far more often. Jesus’s last visit would change the world. 

 

“And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Mark 15-17

 

I have thought a lot about the actions which caused Jesus to cleanse the Temple, and with ignominy in my heart I admit there have been a few occasions where I wanted to react as Jesus did that day. I now understand the Temple represents the minds of the people of Israel, for you see they had permitted their minds to become a “den of thieves,” Gentlemen, the money changers had become thieves of prayer. I struggled with verse 16, why would Jesus prevent the carrying of any vessel? The word for vessel referred to an item connected with cooking, or connected with the sale of their articles of merchandise. Therefore, Jesus did not want the Temple to become a thoroughfare by condoning the carrying of any vessel that was for common use, or any sort of burden. 

 

I submit for your consideration many of our homes, schools, and churches have become thoroughfares. Many have allowed an open-door policy to ensue. Our homes, schools, and churches are not for social entertainment, though they are social. Each place is sanctuary and a refuge. In 1934 a poem influenced one of the greatest philosophers I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. When I became a teacher, I placed this poem on my desk.

 

No written word, no spoken plea

Can teach our youth what they should be

Nor all the books on all the shelves

It’s what the teachers are themselves

Today, as we begin the year 2026, we find ourselves in a rolling tide of despotism. You want something positive in your life? Follow GOD’s Dream. What specific dream are you chasing? Perhaps it may be a hobby, your dream may be much more. God has ordained you for something specific. It may be a dream within a dream. It may be your calling to take up the mantle from someone else’s dream, to share as Daniel did with the Magi, who passed the lessons/prophesy down to the next generation. Remember, life is one continual marathon/ripple effect. Maybe your dream is yet to be revealed and all you need to do is share your faith, to attend a men’s prayer retreat, or attend a mission trip for Salkehatchie Summer Service, or volunteer to teach a bible study, or volunteer to teach Vacation Bible School, or volunteer to be a Lay reader, or use your gift and sing in the choir. The key to finding your dream/purpose begins with surrender, trust, and obedience. GOD will reveal your dream. All we need to do is be a testimony for Jesus Christ many blessings he has established in our life, and follow his dream for our lives. The Holy Spirt will take it from there. 

When you have opportunity share what you believe, like I did when asked about the Epiphany. In total it was 30 seconds out of my life with a friend. This action caused me to write a poem entitled 30 seconds.

 

30 Seconds

 

While traveling upon the level of time

Do not seek that which you can never keep

Rather seek that which you can never lose

Through applying the plumb of rectitude

And the square of virtue in all that you say and do

The challenge in our pilgrimage of life

Is to help others and ease the strife

So with a ray of hope, when opportunity beckons

Pause and give the gift of 30 seconds

 

 

I have been asked several times why I wanted to be a teacher. I have thought a lot about that question over the last 33 years. It is the same reason I attend church and teach Bible Study. You see, each day when I enter my classroom, there waiting for instruction are future mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers. Each are builders, and though I may never see the family, house, building, bridge, school, hospital, cathedral, or church they may build, I can say “we labored and studied together one day chasing a dream,” and that has made all the difference in my life." 

 In HIS service

Soli Deo Gloria