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Epiphany

Epiphany
Sunday 8th January 2017

Matthew 2:1-12
Ephesians 3:1-12
Psalm 72

Epiphany is a festival which encourages us to notice the mystery of the presence of God in our lives. St Paul uses the word mystery a number of times in relation to Jesus Christ in the 3rd chapter of his letter to the Ephesians. Jesus’ presence as mystery means that as humans we cannot define, limit or control who and what God is  – rather, we are asked to notice Jesus and his continuing presence in the world, through the grace of God which grants us faith.

In noticing God, or at least trying to, we are guided in our understanding which is properly expressed as devotion and praise. The nativity stories encourage us to worship God through depicting a miraculous birth.  Consistent with St Paul’s mission to the Gentiles – the non-Jews – the nativity story describes to us how the Christ-child and therefore the mystery of God, is not exclusive. Rather, the Christ-child is to be worshipped by all peoples. Which does not mean that Christians must ignore or dismiss the religions of other nations, but that the true incarnation of God is not exclusive or partisan, rather Jesus, the light of the world, draws all people to himself, even as an infant. This vision of a united world is a compelling one for us to long for. Our divisions are immense; how does the child of peace and unity speak to us as we experience all sorts of different levels of fear? If we trusted that Jesus were walking alongside us, holding our hand, what might we have the courage to do or be?

In addition, the psalmist depicts for us, in the tradition of ancient poetic wisdom literature, the locus of God’s mystery: - it is hidden among and with the oppressed and poor. Which is why Jesus is shown to be hidden at his birth, among the lowly and the poor. And yet God’s presence is also worthy of and honoured by, wise and presumably wealthy, foreign visitors. Indeed, if we honoured the mystery of God among us we would lay everything we had at his feet. Which is a challenge to us gathered here. How much do we hold back from God – not just of our material wealth, but of our selves? Moreover, how much effort do we put in on our journey towards him? The magi embarked on a long journey, seemingly with just a star for guidance, and yet they persevered into a foreign country, with foreign people and duplicitous rulers, just so they might find ‘the one’. Herod’s despotic authority is used in the story as a contrast to the righteous rule of God, through which the poor and the downtrodden are delivered.

So the salient question might be for each of us today on the feast of Epiphany: ‘where am I looking for God?’. If we were to answer that question honestly, what would be our response?

The Bible consistently tells us that God is to be found in the lowly and humble of heart; that God makes his dwelling place with the downtrodden and oppressed; that God is on the side of the poor and vulnerable. But, are we willing to look for God there?

Loving Jesus, your birth shames us in its simplicity and in its poverty – a poverty that was material only, for there was abundance too, the abundance of the heart that was pure gift, pure grace, pure love. Teach us to long for you so that we seek you in the places that would otherwise make us fearful; teach us to love you so that in loving you we would have the courage to leave aside all that is valued in this world, just to catch a glimmer of your beauty which radiates in the exquisite serenity of your kingdom. Amen






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