2 January 2022
The Epiphany of the Lord
Any realtor will repeat the mantra for what is the best property: Location, location, location. Obviously, Mary and Joseph got poor advice when they decided to settle for an animal shed in Bethlehem. Although, often seen as the villain of the piece, my sympathy goes out to the innkeeper who suggested, and perhaps wisely, that an animal stall would be quieter and safer than a common room filled with all sorts of people. Having been at a history conference at a hotel that hosted the fans from the college football game and two wedding receptions, the park bench across the street looked rather appealing. Whatever the reason, the simple local no doubt came into contrast with the visitors twelve days later. The story of the wisemen provides an “overture” to the ministry of Jesus and the church he estabished, a ministry described by Paul in today’s epistle:
..it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
The birth of Christ is described in Mathew and Luke and both provide an insight into the ministry of Jesus. In Luke, the shepherds visit the newborn Jesus. These shepherds represent the lowly people visiting a poor family. We heard in Mary’s Magnificat earlier in the gospel how God raises up the lowly and the whole process was begun by Jesus becoming lowly himself. Matthew has wise men coming from outside of Israel in recognition that this birth heralds the light of redemption needed by all and sought by the wise. Epiphany comes alive for us when we bring the light of Christ to all areas of darkness including some areas of our own lives.