Today, we celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord to the nations. This famous event that is hinted at or prominent in many manger displays since the beginning of Advent gives us the clue that the “Christmas Event” is not completed until the three visitors from far off lands have given their gifts to the baby king. As many of us know, they were prominent figures who followed a star that led them to Israel. Herod maliciously helps them pinpoint the location of Bethlehem where the wisemen find Mary and Jesus in a house. After presenting their gifts of Gold (a gift for a king), Frankincense (aroma of worship), and Myrrh (anointing for a death), they depart from the Christ child by a different route home, having been warned by an angel of Herod’s malice.
With this final story of the nativity narrative, we see the microcosm of God’s plan revealed in His humble incarnation. God starts small with the revelation of His birth, revealing to only Mary and Joseph initially at His conception, then to Mary’s extended family (for prophetic reasons), and then the news is progressively revealed to more groups of people found in the shepherds, the wisemen, and even Herod.
In this way, the story of the Incarnation gives the interpretive key to Jesus’ adult earthly mission. Just like a solitary seed is planted and sprouts into a great tree for various forms of life to take refuge in/under, so Jesus begins by revealing to a few, who in turn reveal to the nations. The family of Mary and Joseph are the fertile soil of the Incarnation. Mary too is the inspiration of the beginning of Jesus’ earthly mission at the wedding feast of Cana. John the Baptist’s family in both Elizabeth and Zachariah (and John in the womb) give prophetic utterances of the Incarnation. John continues the family tradition preparing the way for Jesus’ earthly ministry.
When Jesus begins His earthly ministry, He is very clear that He only has been sent to the Children of Israel and reserves His ministry for them. In the same way, the birth of Jesus was only told to the shepherds of Israel – presumably Jewish shepherds taking care of the flocks consecrated for temple sacrifice. Yet, by the end of His ministry, we see that Jesus attracts the attention of the nations when Samaritans, Greeks, and Romans express faith in Him. They saw His signs, believed, and sought Him out. In the same way, the Magi – the representative of the nations – read the sign of the star and sought Jesus out in order to worship Him.
Not only are acts of faith foreshadowed in the nativity story, but also the persecutions of Jesus are revealed. Famously, there is no room for Mary, Joseph, and Jesus (in utero) at the inn/guest house in Bethlehem. Yet, we know that Joseph’s whole family had to come to Bethlehem/lived in Bethlehem. So we see that for there to be no room for Joseph and Mary was most likely a familial rejection of some sort – possibly for a woman pregnant out of wedlock. In a similar way, Jesus is rejected by His home town of Nazareth when he preaches the coming of the Kingdom of God to them. He famously states, A prophet is never accepted in His own town.
Yet in the nativity story, it is not only the keepers of the inn/guest house that reject Jesus. It is also Jerusalem through the person of King Herod. This persecution is a deadly one, intent on eliminating the threat that Jesus is to the throne. As can be seen throughout the Old Testament, Herod continues the tradition of Jerusalem seeking deadly force on those who come in the name of the Lord. He fails, but massacres many young boys under the age of two as Jesus escapes to Egypt. Yet, Jerusalem will achieve its goal years later in Jesus’ suffering and death by crucifixion at the end of His earthly ministry. The baby born for sacrifice will conquer sin and death by His resurrection and triumphant return into heaven.
As we celebrate this feast where we, the nations, are welcomed into the worship of the Christ child, we remember the goodness of God who invited us all to His heavenly banquet. We also reflect on the beauty of God’s revelation who has made it clear what He has done and is doing in salvation history. Additionally, He has given us the wisdom to understand His plan and recognize His love. He has revealed it in the incarnation. He revealed it in His earthly ministry. And He continues to reveal it to us today. May we have the faith and strength of the wisemen to recognize his love and approach Him in love.
