January 6th: Epiphany
The
feast of Epiphany marks the end of the Christmas season. On this day
the story, recorded in both the Syriac (or Arabic) Infancy Gospel
and Matthew's Gospel, is often re-told, of the visit to the child
Jesus by Magi. Magi have been described as 'the watchmen of the
heavens'. They were the earliest known astronomers and navigators, as
well as being the guardians and mediators of esoteric knowledge.
The
magi in the Christmas story had seen a new star rise, and believed it
to be the sign of a child born king of the Jews, so they travelled to
Jerusalem, the capital city, where Herod, the Roman king of Judea,
frightened by this news, sent the magi on (on the advice of the chief
priests and scribes) to Bethlehem, since there was a prophecy that
from that village would come 'a ruler, who is to shepherd (God's)
people, Israel'. The magi set out for Bethlehem, and the story tells
that ahead of them went the star they had seen at its rising. When
they saw the star appear to stop they entered a house and found the
child Jesus with his mother Mary, paid homage, and offered gifts of
gold, frankincense, and myrrh - symbols of sovereignty, divinity, and
mortality.
Sometime
after this, the story is told of how Joseph was told in a dream to
escape to Egypt, and how he, Mary, and Jesus fled from King Herod's
fearful wrath and his order to kill all boys under 2 years old: the
Massacre of the Innocents. (Herod, the so-called 'Great', also
murdered three of his own sons and his second wife Mariamne or
Miriam). This is commemorated on Holy Innocents' Day (27th
or 28th December), but I think of it today as well, not
least since, here in France, the Holy Family's escape is represented
by a small figurine, hidden in the Epiphany Cake (Galette de Rois).
Whoever finds the figurine in their piece of cake is crowned king or
queen for the day – and traditionally hosts either a party at
Candlemas or the following year's Epiphany party. The cakes are sold
encircled with a gold paper crown.
Here
at Karningul, we'll be starting our Epiphany Supper with the
following responsive prayer:
The
people who walked in darkness have seen a great light:
The
light shines on the nations
who
live in the shadow of death.
Arise,
shine, for the Light of the World is come!
May
hearts no longer fear, and may souls be set free.
Our
world is full of violence and injustice, of tyranny and cruelty,
and
many people are weak and vulnerable:
But
we are all creatures of the God who has no favourites.
We
are entrusted with the care of each other:
May
we be inspired with compassion and charity
to
strive for healing, health, and wholeness.
God
has entrusted us with the care of the earth and all its creatures:
May
we be inspired with humility and creativity
to
stand up against tyranny, cruelty, and mindless fear
and
to pray and work for justice and peace.
May
we forgive our selves and each other for all that is past:
May
we embrace the future with confidence and hope;
may
we seek out and share knowledge and truth;
and
may we always rejoice in the light and love that surround us.
Amen!
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