Sean Major-Campbell | Celebrating the Epiphany

TODAY MARKS the first Sunday after the Epiphany, which is observed on the sixth day of January. Liturgically, it is the last day of the Christmas season. Today is also the first Sunday of 2024.

The word ‘epiphany’ really means ‘revelation’, and points to the revealing of something. In Christian tradition, it recalls the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles. The magi or wise men represent those from the gentile world. A Jew, born in humble circumstances in occupied territory, is celebrated by foreigners in the characters who were astrologers.

We do not talk about astrology in church. However, it is of interesting significance in the Bible, and certainly in human history. Astrological zodiac signs have from antiquity provided much enthusiasm and interest for many people. Many therefore speak about the star or sign under which they were born.

SIGNS

The astrologers, or wise men, declared that they saw a star that led them to Jesus! They would have been aware of the 12 constellations and signs which make up the zodiac. And, of course, the sky which is divided into 12 sections is associated with elements. Hence, different signs are associated with fire, earth, air, or water.

People have long associated the movement of other planets and the moon through our galaxy with various challenges and blessings. Some even observe an influence on our emotions. The wise of old were therefore also associated with ‘following the star’.

This is not an invitation to pursue a faith in astrology. It is just recognising how what is often deemed pagan or foreign is just part of ancient human traditions in the quest for meaning and purpose. Christian wisdom maintains that most important is following the Christ.

Still interesting is the spring and autumnal equinoxes, and the summer and winter solstices. The winter solstice would have been considered mysterious, with its having the shortest day and the longest night. In December 2023, the solstice fell on December 21 in the northern hemisphere.

ANCIENT TRADITIONS

Maybe we should demystify some suspicions informing ancient traditions around ‘sol Invictus’. This official god of the Roman Empire, or sun god, was revered in the this term ‘sol Invictus’, which means ‘invincible or unconquered sun’. Understandably, this celebrated life source had a dedicated day of celebration. It was during the winter solstice and specifically on December 25.

Although early church fathers would have been concerned about worship of the sun god, the fact is that these ancient worshippers were doing their own version of celebrating light and life and resilience and a return to spring and rebirth and the overcoming of darkness

The Church did what it has always done. In fact, all religions do this. It used a pre-existing reality to symbolise and convey its message. It used December 25 to centre and give focus to Jesus Christ, the unconquered Son. This does not make the Christian celebration any less authentic. In St Paul’s celebration of the crucified-yet-risen Lord, he borrowed from his Jewish heritage when he said, “Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us …”. We do not condemn the Easter celebration because it references Jewish heritage symbolically.

SPIRITUAL JOURNEY

The physical, the ordinary, the everyday things of life and the seasons are all part of how we process meaning and purpose. The spiritual journey relies on the daily realities of life on the path of life lessons.

Most importantly, currently, Epiphany calls us to explore the place of the often-despised Gentiles in the good news of Jesus Christ. They, too, have something to offer. Their offering is also welcomed as they give to Jesus. In Jesus, all the world is welcomed to celebrate light and to be light.

May we, with the hymn writer, also give praise in Jesus Christ:

Songs of thankfulness and praise,

Jesus, Lord, to Thee we raise,

Manifested by the star

To the sages from afar;

Branch of royal David’s stem

In Thy birth at Bethlehem;

Anthems be to Thee addressed,

God in man made manifest.

Fr Sean Major-Campbell is an Anglican priest and advocate for human dignity and human rights. Send feedback to seanmajorcampbell@yahoo.com or columns@gleanerjm.com