Epiphany celebrates the visitation of the Magi to Jesus in Bethlehem. January 6 has been set aside for this commemoration for over 1,600 years. The significance of Epiphany is in the name, which means manifestation or appearance. Classically it was used for the appearance of the sun at dawn. In the Church it indicates the manifestation of the Messiah to the Gentiles, inaugurating the Mission of God to offer salvation to the whole of humanity.
The Magi, wise men from the East, were drawn to Bethlehem to worship the King of Israel. The Heavenly Father led them to worship the Son. This is the inspiration for a good New Year’s Resolution. Jesus Christ humbled himself and appeared to us in a way we can understand and experience. He took on human flesh in order to redeem fallen human beings and offer salvation. What’s our response? Like the Magi, we worship. We worship Jesus because he is God, because he deserves worship, because he is worthy of our praise. We don’t worship in order to receive something from God, we worship because we have received something from God, in response to his generous outpouring of grace.
Because God is so good, because he revealed his love to us through Jesus his Son, because he has drawn us to Christ by the Spirit, let’s resolve to worship him regularly, throughout the week in prayer and thanksgiving, and on the Lord’s Day, as we gather to worship the One who is truly worthy of glory and praise.
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