Matthew 2:1-12
“An
epiphany” is the name given to the moment when Dr. Gregory House solves the diagnostic mystery in the TV drama House.
I can imagine that Hugh Laurie practiced the “epiphany face” in the mirror
until he had it down. Regular viewers became attuned to recognize that
expression and know that the show was almost over.
An epiphany
is a revelation, an insight, a moment of enlightenment. The church gives the
name “Epiphany” to January 6 to commemorate the moment when the astrologers
from the east found the child with his mother, and recognized this child Jesus
as a revelation of God, as the light of the world. The season that follows the
Epiphany is a season of light. Next week we will read about the baptism of
Jesus, and then the call of the disciples, and follow Jesus and his disciples
throughout their travels together. The season will conclude with a burst of
light on the mountaintop where Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and
John. Epiphany is the season of light.
Epiphany is
the season of light in the darkness.
A candle lighted in the bright light of the midsummer sun is hardly noticeable;
we notice the flame in contrast to the dark of a winter night. The enlightened
astrologers shine with the reflected glory of the child Jesus; that light
shines in contrast to the darkness of Herod and all Jerusalem with him.
“When King
Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him….”
And Herod
in his fear plotted to put out the light.
When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:
‘A voice was heard in Ramah,
wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.’
(Matthew 2:16-18)
Herod
personifies darkness, gives the power of evil a name, and a motive: fear. Be
aware of fear, and beware. Fear invites the darkness. Fear colludes with
violence. Fear does not excuse or explain evil, but it goes before it like a harbinger.
When fear overcomes a nation, a city, a family or an individual beware.
Look to the
light. It may be little more than a spark of hope at first, but it will burn
brightly. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome
it. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Prayer of Dedication:
Gracious
and loving God, we give you thanks that we who walked in darkness have seen a
great light, in Jesus, the man of Nazareth. May the gifts that we share help us
to reflect the light of your glory into all the places where evil threatens to
gain ground, whether that be in our own hearts or in the halls of power. This
we pray in Jesus name. Amen.
