Epiphany: What Gift Will You Give

1.        Epiphany

·      celebrates the magi’s visit to the Christ

·      kept on January 6 and also called “Three Kings’ Day” and “Twelfth Day

·      means “manifestation” or “revelation.” Celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, represented by the magi (the wisemen/mago were Gentiles

·      Simeon’s prophecy in Luke 2:32 - a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.

·      For some, Epiphany also commemorates other manifestations of Christ’s divinity to the world

o   His baptism Luke 3:21-22 21Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 22and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

o   turning water into wine (John 2:1-11

Epiphany traditions: the Star Singers (children dressed as kings and holding up a large star, singing carols from house to house); collecting money for charity; and the “plundering” and burning of Christmas trees. 
Other traditions include prayers (some offered to “Caspar,” “Melchoir,” and “Balthasar,” the traditional names of the magi); the blessing of holy water; the burning of “blessed” herbs; and the offering of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Should a Christian celebrate Epiphany? There is certainly nothing wrong with celebrating the different events of Christ’s life, and a Christian is free to observe whatever day he wants, as long as he “does so to the Lord”

o   Romans 14:4-6 –

§  4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.

o   avoid the superstitions and empty rituals

(Isaiah 1:13-14) Bring no more vain offerings;
    incense is an abomination to me.
New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations—
    I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.
14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts
    my soul hates;
they have become a burden to me;
    I am weary of bearing them.

§  some customs directly conflict with scripture. For instance, asking the magi to bless one’s house conflicts with the Bible’s clear teaching that we pray only to God Himself . . . as in the Trinity Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Whatever holidays we choose to observe, the Lord should always be glorified in them

2.        What the Wisemen brought

a.        The Bible doesn’t tell us the significance of the three gifts, but tradition gives us a deeper meaning

           i.         Gold = a precious metal symbolic of divinitity

            ii.         Frankincense = a very fragrant substance used with burnt offerings (aka sacrifices) as a pleasing aroma to God, a symbol of holiness and righteousness. Symbolic of Christ’s willingness to become a sacrifice

              iii.         Myrrh – used in embalming, symbolizes bitterness, suffering, and affliction.

b.        Christ doesn’t need our gifts, but he is pleased when we use them for his glory and to bless others

3.        The gift of our commitment

a.        Rebuilding the wall

                   i.         Nehemiah 2:18: And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set^[a] their hands to this good work.

b.        Not a New Year’s Resolution that we set for our own benefit and willingly give up on when the going gets hard, but a commitment to “set our hands to the good work of restoring the walls that have been broken down in our families and relationship, our addictions, our straying from the pure and holy life God calls us to.

c.        Challenged by our pastor to make and sign an agreement with God for the coming year. A commitment we make to God is a serious commitment.

d.        Numbers 3:20 - If a man makes a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

e.        Ecc 5:4 - When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it;
For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed—

f.           My commitment becomes my established priorities.

4.        The list:

a.        Obey Christ 

b.        Live a pure and holy life 

c.        Spend less time on social media

 d.        Share Jesus with 1 person a month

 e.         Invite people to church

  f.         Read God’s Word every day and let it lead you in spiritual growth

  g.        Pray daily

   h.       Tithe regularly

    i.        Attend church more regularly

    j.         Repent

 This Epiphany (today) offer God the better gift of making a commitment to him.