Gold, a King is Born Today
Roundup 009, Epiphany Edition
Shepherds bow before the Lamb
Gazing at the glory
Gifts of men from distant lands
Prophesy the story
Gold, a King is born today
Incense, God is with us
Myrrh, His death will make a way
And by His blood, He'll win us
Today, January 6th, is Epiphany.
For those newer to this side of Christian tradition (like myself), Epiphany, is the time in our annual calendar closely associated with the revelation of Christ to the Magi. It is also a Feast Day which marks the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas and is sometimes called Candelmas.
Today, I am reflecting on the strangeness of the Magi and that God chose to reveal himself to the gentiles through Persian Astronomers. Wondrous mystery, indeed.
Here are a few brief reads I’ll recommend for Epiphany, and then I’m off the make a Galette de Rois with Megan.
Epiphany and Epiphanytide for Rookies - “Though the Season after Epiphany is one of two periods in the Church calendar known as “ordinary time,” there’s nothing unimportant or uninteresting about it! During Epiphany, we focus on the mission of the Church to reach all the peoples of the earth and the great gift of God’s grace in revealing healing truth and light to the world.”
Twelfth Night Ye Olde Christmas Season, Epiphany Parties, & When to Take Down the Christmas Tree - “Epiphany has traditionally been celebrated by gift-giving, which we do in our family. It’s a great reason not to sweat when a package is delayed or when you wait to buy something when it’s on sale after Christmas— you can always just say that gift is for January 6th!”
The Golden Thread of Epiphany - “The Magi departed from Jesus, never, as far as we know, to see him again. Something similar may be the case for us; many people far holier than I am have spent years, even decades, without a tangible spiritual sense of God’s presence. After the encounter and the transformation, we may be asked to walk for a time, seemingly alone.”
Who Were the Magi, and Why Did They Worship Jesus? - Dr. Dan Doriani - “But why would Matthew concoct a story of worshiping astrologers for a predominantly Jewish audience? Roughly like gambling today, astrology was a plague, denounced by prophets and ethicists alike. But if God chose to summon Gentiles by speaking their language, then Matthew could put that fact to use, since it matched his themes.”
Why the Magi Matter - Mockingbird - “The Church Year is not random. Its seasons flow together. The paving stones of Lent that take us to Easter Sunday lay at the bottom of Epiphany’s stairs, a descent through the story of the universal Jesus and his open-door policy for all who seek him. Before one trods downward on the Lenten road, we are handed the implications of the coming resurrection. We are clothed for the journey in the colors of love and invitation, of good news for all the people. In a wonderfully challenging way, the magi are a reminder to let the people in, that the gospel is for the weird, suspicious, and despised.
Let them all in.”
A Pastry Fit for a King - or a Queen - NY Times - “Created to celebrate Epiphany — the day the Three Kings (les rois) brought gifts to the infant Jesus — the galette is beloved throughout northern France (in the south, they make a brioche cake, a gâteau des rois that resembles a New Orleans king cake).”
The modern carol, Joy Has Dawned, has been a favorite ever since I heard King’s Kaleidoscope do it in 2012. To say it simply, this version slaps.
This evening, Megan and I are hosting a few close friends for a little Epiphany Feast. While preparing the meal (Molly Baz’s ‘Hot Sauce Braised Short Ribs’) we’re listening to the last Christmas Carols of the year. We plan to decorate the cake when friends arrive and will meditate on Christ’s appearance. Our tree is still up, as are our candles and decorations. Check back next week for photos.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention Fleming Rutledge’s new book on Epiphany will arrive at our house this week and I am very much looking forward to it.
The Christ child is born!
All you who would find him, prepare for a journey,
as determined as the Magi.
All you you who would praise him,
come with the faith to follow but a star.
All you who would worship him,
come with humility to the child
who shows forth the immeasurable riches of God.
-Based on Matthew 2:1-12
Happy Epiphany, Friends!