Epiphany (Three Kings Day) is January 6th. It’s a season that often slips by unnoticed, and I know not all Christians celebrate it, but I’ve always found it to be rich with meaning.
So, question for anyone else who observes this day: Do you have a favorite Epiphany hymn or song? Maybe something your church sings in early January?
… Hmmm, Maybe “Three Little Birds” by Marley, (who just might be the grandson of Jacob Marley, the business partner of Ebenezer Scrooge. But I can’t be sure, 'cause he’s dead.)
KP
That’s interesting! I’ve never heard of it before so I can’t answer your question. But I did look it up and in a nutshell it says its a Christian feast to celebrate the manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus to the Gentiles through the Magi. Not all that important but the Bible doesn’t claim there were 3 kings. I think we get that from the 3 gifts they gave.
But another more general meaning of the word is a sudden insight or a intuitive understanding. This is something that the Magi had concerning Christ. Why else would they make that long trip to honor Him. And they were all Gentiles from what we can discern from the text. The first to know; the shepherds, were probably Jewish men, but the Magi from the far east were more likely Gentiles. So both nations are represented in our Lord’s birth and representative of both nations worshipped Him and sought Him out.
As a Gentile, I find that wonderful. In both the old and new testament, Jesus is called a light to the Gentiles. Isaiah 49:6 speaks of His dual role for the Jew and for us, and Simeon says He is a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles.
You’re right, the Bible doesn’t say there were three kings, just that wise men from the East brought three gifts.
But I love how you picked up on Isaiah 49:6 and Simeon’s words in Luke 2:32. That’s exactly the heart of Epiphany for me. Jesus revealed as “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.” From the very beginning, God’s plan was never small or exclusive. It was always for all nations to come and worship the Messiah.
I concur Jenny, yet…
Mat 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Mat 7:13 **Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: **
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
A Tree and Its Fruit
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Mat 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
Mat 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Mat 25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
Mat 25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Mat 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Mat 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Enter ye in at the strait gate - Christ here compares the way to life to an entrance through a gate. The words “straight” and “strait” have very different meanings. The former means “not crooked;” the latter, “pent up, narrow, difficult to be entered.” This is the word used here, and it means that the way to heaven is “pent up, narrow, close,” and not obviously entered. The way to death is open, broad, and thronged. The Saviour here referred probably to ancient cities. They were surrounded with walls and entered through gates. Some of those, connected with the great avenues to the city, were broad and admitted a throng; others, for more private purposes, were narrow, and few would be seen entering them. So, says Christ, is the path to heaven. It is narrow. It is not “the great highway” that people tread. Few go there. Here and there one may be seen - traveling in solitude and singularity. The way to death, on the other hand, is broad. Multitudes are in it. It is the great highway in which people go. They fall into it easily and without effort, and go without thought. If they wish to leave that and go by a narrow gate to the city, it would require effort and thought. So, says Christ, “diligence” is needed to enter life. See Luk_13:24. None go of course. All must strive, to obtain it; and so narrow, unfrequented, and solitary is it, that few find it. This sentiment has been beautifully versified by Watts:
“Broad is the road that leads to death,
And thousands walk together there;
But wisdom shows a narrower path,
With here and there a traveler.”
-Barnes.
Just a thought.
J.
