Epiphany

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during the rule of King Herod, magi came from the east to Jerusalem. ² They asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We’ve seen his star in the east, and we’ve come to honor him.” ³ When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, and everyone in Jerusalem was troubled with him. ⁴ He gathered all the chief priests and the legal experts and asked them where the Christ was to be born. ⁵ They said, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is what the prophet wrote: ⁶ You, Bethlehem, land of Judah, by no means are you least among the rulers of Judah, because from you will come one who governs, who will shepherd my people Israel.” ⁷ Then Herod secretly called for the magi and found out from them the time when the star had first appeared. ⁸ He sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you’ve found him, report to me so that I too may go and honor him.” ⁹When they heard the king, they went; and look, the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the child was. ¹⁰When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. ¹¹ They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him. Then they opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ¹² Because they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route. (Matthew 2:1-12, CEB)

Epiphany is the day the Magi from the east visit Jesus at a home in Bethlehem. This is not the night of his birth with the shepherds but years later. We actually know it is 2 years later by the time that Herrod orders the young boys killed, 2 years and younger. So Jesus is probably 2 when the Magi visit.

And we don’t know how many magi there were, we only know they brought three gifts. We don’t know the quantity of each gift either.

We lump this story into the birth and do the story and our understanding a misjustice.

Know the Magi didn’t visit the manger and that Herrod used their visit to slaughter innocent babies out of fear.

Epiphany is the end of the Christmas season (the 12 days of Christmas) and the beginning of Christ’s revelation to the the world. Not only will the nation of Israel have their messiah but all of the world has a savior!