If you are like me, you may come from a tradition that does not celebrate Epiphany or that views many of the Christian feasts with suspicion. In recent years I have come to appreciate the Christian calendar and to see beauty in marking time by the acts of God in history.
Bobby Gross writes about the Christian calendar, “It’s about participating in the life of Jesus so that we can be transformed. It’s about taking our place in the great drama of God’s love and redemption of the world. Its’ about taking time to inhabit—to dwell inside, to be at home in—God’s Story through living the Christian year and keepings its spiritual rhythms.” [1]
The overwhelming majority of Christians celebrate the calendar in one way or another, at bare minimum Christmas and Easter. But Epiphany is not as familiar.
So what is Epiphany?
Epiphany, always celebrated on January 6th, is considered a “feast day,” a day of celebrating an event of great importance. On this day, many denominations across the world will remember the revelation of the Messiah to the Gentiles in the coming of the Magi from the east. Today such as celebration may seem unneeded since the Church by-and-large swarms with Gentiles, but in the early centuries this was an absolutely astounding revelation, that God was including peoples in His great program of remaking the world, who were not originally in the covenant. Epiphany is one of the three major and oldest feast days of the Christian church (along with Christmas and Easter).
The word “epiphany” (from Greek epiphaneia) means a manifestation or an unveiling of something that comes suddenly into view. It derives from two Greek words that literally could mean “to shine a light upon.” The season of Epiphany continues until the beginning of Lent and typically ends with a remembrance of the transfiguration of Jesus (see Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36). The entire season is intended to focus our attention upon Jesus in a way that echoes the words of the Father at the Baptism of His Son: “This is my beloved Son!”
Three Important Manifestations
The season of Epiphany lasts several weeks (usually between 4 and 9 weeks depending on the date of Easter, which changes every year). Traditionally churches focus on three core manifestations of Jesus during this season. First, is the manifestation is the visit of the three Magi—men from the east who were students of the stars and had come to Bethlehem seeking the arrival of a great king. Second, the manifestation of the baptism of Jesus. In the words of John the Baptist, “I did not know Him, but in order that He should be made manifest to Israel, I have come baptizing with water…and I saw and bear witness that this Jesus is the Son of God.” (John 1:31, 34). Third, and finally, the manifestation of Christ’s first miracle, changing water into wine at the wedding feast of Cana. John 2:11 tells us,” This beginning of miracles Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and He manifested forth His glory, and His disciples believed on him.”
As mentioned above, the season of Epiphany closes with the celebration of the Transfiguration of Jesus. This moment is considered by many, like Thomas Aquinas, to be the greatest miracle in Jesus’ ministry (apart from the resurrection).
During the season of Epiphany we behold the One God has sent to us, who revealed to us more clearly than ever, God’s glory, “glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
[1] Bobby Gross, Living the Christian Year: Time to Inhabit the Story of God (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2009), 14.
