Epiphany Comes

Matthew 2:1-12
The Rev. Pat Morris-Rader

“When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.”

For the people who were part of the first Christmas, it was full of surprises. Zechariah was surprised when the angel Gabriel appeared to him and announced that his elderly wife Elizabeth would bear a son. He was struck dumb and was unable to speak until his son, John the Baptist, was born and named. Then Zechariah was able to prophesy with joy that this child would be called “the prophet of the Most High.”

Mary was surprised when the angel Gabriel appeared to her, saying “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you!” Listening to his prophecy, she was able to replace fear with willingness: “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”

Joseph was surprised to learn that Mary, his betrothed, was with child. His fears were set aside by the angel’s assuring words: “For the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

The shepherds were surprised to have their evening slumber interrupted by a host of angels singing: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” So they said to one another “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”

All were surprised. But the wise men who came to worship the new born king did not seem to be surprised. From far away, they had read the signs, believed what they learned from their studies, prepared gifts for a king, made the long journey – even stopping along the way to ask directions from King Herod. They arrived, ready to worship the king they had expected to see.

Today we celebrate Epiphany, the church festival which commemorates the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. Christ’s coming is not held within the boundaries of one culture or one people. Christ’s coming is for the whole world – for all cultures and all people.

The word Epiphany comes from the Greek, meaning appearance or manifestation. The dictionary gives additional modern-day meanings: First, a sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something. And second, an intuitive grasp of reality through something (usually an event) simple and striking.

I recently heard the word Epiphany used in a setting that caught me by surprise. Once Saturday each month I participate in an Evening Prayer service at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville. Usually 15-30 women in-mates attend our service. On the Saturday before Christmas, MG called to say she would have her guitar there and could play chords for five Christmas Carols. I put together a service of Six Lessons and Carols.

The women arrived more subdued than usual. The beautiful lesson from Isaiah was mumbled without any feeling; the first carol had a similar sound. The second lesson had a little more spirit; the carol was a bit harder to sing – the in-mates began to laugh a bit at their singing ability and tease MG. The mood in the room continued to lighten during the next two lessons. MG had forgotten to print out the words for “O Holy Night,” so she volunteered to sing it to us. In silence we listened to each beautiful verse. The last two lessons were happily read, and the carols happily sung.

After the last carol, I gave a short reflection and asked others to share their thoughts. The first in-mate to speak, announced in a booming voice that the service was an “Epiphany.” She went on to explain how she had come to the service with no intent to celebrate being in prison for Christmas – but she had gained new understanding of what Christmas is all about. Several others spoke along similar lines, and smiles filled the room. What the women who attend our service most want is to “graduate” from prison to lives that aren’t as messed up as the lives that brought them to prison in the first place. The worship we shared together somehow added to their hope and confidence that they might be able to make it!

Epiphany comes, as light out of darkness. Epiphany came to the Wise Men after they had prepared themselves. They had studied hard for many years and had come to believe that what they observed was true. One theory is that the Wise Men came from different places in the East and joined together for the journey, sharing their individual findings with one another for greater understanding and joining together for this venture of faith. Individually and together, they committed themselves to a long journey and deeper understanding.

The Wise Men, I think, have much in common with the seekers who will be participating in the catechumenate program during the next few months. Weekly classes will offer study and reflection, a faith journey, and perhaps – Epiphany. The same possibilities are also offered by other programs for Faith Formation here at St. John’s. Sometimes, a lot of work comes before an Epiphany!

Sometimes Epiphany comes simply because you’re in the place you’re supposed to be. Zechariah was a priest serving in the temple because his name was on the schedule. It was his turn to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense – his regular tour of duty, special, but not out of the ordinary. He was serving faithfully, perhaps, as our Altar Guild or EMs or Ushers or Greeters or Lectors serve each Sunday – doing well what he was asked to do. Sometimes your place of service is simply sitting in the pew. Epiphany came to me one May afternoon about ten years ago as I listened to an ordination sermon. I had gone through rough times in preparing to become a deacon and was ready to call it quits. I have no recollection of the words spoken in the sermon, but the message was clear to me – move forward. So here I am.

Sometimes Epiphany comes because you are open – such as Mary’s willingness to listen to the angel Gabriel. Sometimes it comes even though you are closed – such as Joseph’s confusion concerning what to do about Mary’s pregnancy. Or the women in-mates as they resisted celebrating Christmas. I think many of us are more like Joseph than Mary. We tend to resist changes and hold on to what is familiar. Angels don’t often come our way, but God has surprising ways of getting our attention when we need to look at things in new ways, see new things.

And sometimes Epiphany comes even though you’re asleep – not paying any attention – totally unaware – as it did to the slumbering shepherds who awoke to behold the Glory of God – and came to see the Christ Child.

Epiphany comes, as light out of darkness. Epiphany, our season of Light.