The following is an excerpt from Seasons of Worship: A Spiritual Calendar for the Church Today.
The celebration of Christ’s birth commences on December 25, signifying the incarnation of Christ to humanity, and culminates with the arrival of the Magi on January 6, known as the Feast of Epiphany. Scholars, utilizing the History of Religions approach, have postulated that Epiphany’s origins, like that of Christmas, stem from the intentional Christianization of a pagan festival. Alternatively, some posit that January 6 was chosen through a series of calculations, rooted in the possibility of April 6 being the date of Christ’s crucifixion.
Nevertheless, the general topic of Epiphany and the season that follows is Jesus’ manifestation of himself as God.Epiphany means “manifestation” or “appearance” and is primarily observed in many churches to commemorate the arrival of the Magi. In Eastern churches however, Epiphany has come to be celebrated as the baptism of Jesus and his first miracle at Cana.
On the Feast of Epiphany (January 6), which falls under Extraordinary Time, and during the season after Epiphany (from January 6 to the beginning of Lent), observed as Ordinary Time, the church has traditionally celebrated the revelation of Jesus Christ to the world. During this time of the year, Bible readings and sermons deal with Jesus’ identity. The purpose of the Christian year is to relive the major events in Jesus’ life in real time. So, during this season after Epiphany, we remember Christ’s life from his birth, as he grows and begins his public ministry.
The Magi
The Magi were esteemed members of the religious hierarchy in ancient Persia and Media (the region corresponding to modern Iran), known for their expertise in astrology, divination, and dream interpretation. This made them be referred to as “wise men.” In Babylonia, they likely interacted with exiled Jewish priests, who shared with them the Old Testament prophecies about the coming of Christ, including the mysterious “messianic star” passage in Numbers 24:17. This explains why the astral phenomenon described in Matthew 2:1–12 captivated the wise men in the gospel narrative.
As the Magi informed King Herod of their mission to find Jesus, the new King, they were making Jesus known publicly.
The Presentation of the Lord
To fulfill the requirements of Leviticus 12:2–8, Mary had to present Jesus at the temple and offer a sacrifice. If Jesus was born on December 25, then this would have occurred on February 2. Therefore, February 2 is known in the historic church as “The Presentation” or “The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple.”
In the temple, a priest named Simeon publicly declared who Jesus was. He had received a divine promise that he wouldn’t die before seeing the Messiah. When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple, Simeon joyfully embraced him, lifted him up, and proclaimed with great conviction, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:29–32 Following Simeon’s declaration, the prophetess Anna also spoke about Jesus to all those present in the temple.
The Baptism of Jesus
Prior to commencing his ministry, Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptizer, had been proclaiming to the people across Jerusalem and Judea to get ready for the arrival of the Messiah. He urged them to repent, turn away from their sins, and receive baptism as a symbol of their readiness. John served as a guide, pointing the way to Jesus. While baptizing people in the Jordan river, Jesus approached John to be baptized. Although John hesitated, Jesus insisted, stating that it was necessary to fulfill righteousness. Consequently, John baptized Jesus.
Immediately after Jesus’ baptism, while he was praying, the skies (heavens) opened, and the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, descended and alighted upon him. Simultaneously, a resonant voice from heaven proclaimed, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22). This passage also beautifully illustrates the Trinity: God the Father speaking from heaven, God the Son being baptized, and God the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus.
The Miracle at Cana
What captivates me the most about this biblical story is how it portrays the humanity of Jesus. He proves to be just like us—enjoying time with friends, cherishing special occasions, and honoring his parents even when it’s inconvenient. Bobby Gross expands upon this when he writes, “If nothing else [this miracle] reveals Christ’s humanity—he revels with friends at a wedding—and underscores the earthy goodness of creation—wine to gladden the heart! . . . This extravagant, gracious gesture foreshadows a greater glory—a messianic abundance—yet to be revealed . . . Jesus reveals his glory—his authority and power and love—in the place of worship, yes, but also inside a home, out in a front yard, down by the riverside and in the midst of a wedding. It’s in these everyday contexts that he invites belief. . . .”[1]
There’s one aspect of this story that leaves me perplexed—the last sentence (John 2:11): “And his disciples believed in him.” I find myself questioning which disciples the Scripture refers to. Were they the ones who witnessed the miracle and instantly chose to follow Jesus? Or were they the ones who had already left their jobs, livelihoods, and families to become his followers? Did this moment mark their newfound belief? They are called disciples, indicating they were already following Jesus, yet their belief seems to solidify at this particular moment. Perhaps this moment, like our own spiritual growth, is another step in a series of events that strengthened their faith in Jesus as the Son of God. Regardless, this manifestation served as another opportunity for people to witness who Jesus truly was—the Son of the Most High—which led them to believe.
The Transfiguration
The Transfiguration acknowledges Jesus’ radical change of appearance while in the presence of Peter, James, and John, on a mountain. Matthew records that Jesus “was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light” (Matt 17:2). At this moment Moses and Elijah appeared, and they were talking with Jesus. Peter, misunderstanding the meaning of this manifestation, offered to make three tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. A bright cloud overshadowed them and a voice from the cloud stated, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Matt 17:5b). The disciples fell on their faces in awe, but Jesus encouraged them to rise and to not be afraid. When they did, they saw only Jesus standing there. This event is alluded to in 2 Peter 1:16–18, which records that “we were eyewitnesses of his majesty” and “we were with him on the holy mountain.” The Transfiguration showcased Christ’s glory before the crucifixion, foreshadowing his resurrection and ascension. It likely offered strength and solace to his disciples during the challenging times that followed.
Just as the word itself means a manifestation of Jesus as the Christ, we find a spiritual emphasis for our own lives during Epiphany. Because God’s glory has been manifested in Jesus Christ, we, as his disciples, have been called to manifest Christ’s glory, not only through our words and actions, but through our lives as we reach out to be the epiphany to those with whom we come in contact.
©2024 Steven D. Brooks, Wipf and Stock Publishers
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the author.
If you would like to read more about Epiphany and the Christian year, and it’s spiritual impact upon the lives of worshipers, you can find more in Seasons of Worship: A Spiritual Calendar for the Church Today by Dr. Steven D. Brooks.