Epiphany Of The Lord Sparknotes

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord – January 8, 2017

The story of the magi, who finally arrive in Bethlehem, completes the gathering of characters that assemble for the birth of Jesus. With their unique and precious gifts – their rich attire – and their colorful retinues, which in most instances include a camel or two, and in some nativity scenes, even an elephant – we are just about ready to bring the curtain down on another Christmas season.

To be certain, the image of these seekers journeying to Bethlehem carries with it a heartwarming quality that we both cherish and impart to our children and grandchildren. The gospel writer Matthew, however, chronicles the magi’s arrival to help set the stage less for a sensational ending to the story of Jesus’ birth and much more in order to provide us with a vision into the mission and message of Jesus – the Messiah and Savior.

You see, the story of the magi’s search for the newborn Christ is not solely a romantic tale with a happy ending. Yes – the magi were individuals who, despite their great wealth and power, were unfulfilled until they discovered the Christ child in Bethlehem. However, their arrival in Bethlehem and their acceptance of the life and peace that the Christ offered to them, unwittingly triggered the unleashing

Much more than bringing a deserved sense of splendor and majesty to the birth of Jesus, the arrival of the magi sets the stage for a story of suffering, hardship and death. Their arrival is a prelude to a lifelong struggle on the part of Jesus to bring justice to lands afflicted with conflict and to heal people scarred by war and hatred. Their arrival and unexpected welcome as Gentiles also points to Jesus’ message of hope for all peoples through his self-sacrificing life and unconditional