This day is the sixth day of the New Year. 6 January is always a holiday or holy day on the Christian or church calendar. It's called Epiphany, and in some countries or cultures Epiphany rather than Christmas is when gifts are exchanged. This keeps the emphasis of 25 December on the coming of God to Earth and humanity in the baby born of the virgin, Mary, in Bethlehem. (Remember, as I have affirmed previously, Jesus the Nazarene was most likely born at some other time of year, since shepherds would have had their flock in the barns not the fields during December -- but I still celebrate Christmas on 25 December, to remember that He DID come at SOME specific time!)
Epiphany is connected with the young Jesus, just like Christmas. You see dear reader, Epiphany remembers the visit of the Magi or Wise Men to see the young Messiah.
The traditional nativity scene -- called a creche in French and nacimiento in Spanish -- gets it all wrong. Check out the report of the evangelist Matthew in the second chapter of the first Gospel. They followed a star whose appearing had alerted them to Messiah's birth, and if we grant that the luminary (which moved in very un-starlike ways) commenced to appear with Jesus' birth, it would have taken the Magi months to travel from their homeland far to the east. Logic tells us that Mary and Joseph would have moved away from the unsanitary and uncomfortable area of the manger -- whether it was in a cave, a barn or the courtyard of a caravanserai (the "inn" of that place and time; Matthew's "no room" may simply have meant no four walls with roof) -- into a regular house ASAP. And indeed, the Gospel tells us plainly that the Magi came into "the house" where mother and child were! Please notice also that Matthew does not tell us the number of Magi in the party -- not three or any other quantity. The "three" apparently derived by assumption from the number of materials mentioned as gifts. But the number of gifts could have been as low as two -- the containers for the incense and myrrh being of gold.
Therefore, it's good that traditionally the Christian community, or at least that portion of us who observe a liturgical calendar, commemorate the Wise Men's visit almost two weeks after commemorating the Savior's birth! Because it's clear that this visit was SOME significant time after the birth and the shepherds' visit. Indeed, I agree with those who propose that the Magi's homage came upon Jesus' first birthday. This might explain why the evil King Herod had all Bethlehem males murdered up to two years old. He being as evil as he was doubtless hiked the age upward some just for "good measure" or insurance!
The Magi, altho' not "kings" in their land and culture, were influential advisors for those who were in power, including kings. Therefore it is appropriate to sharply contrast Herod's response to the coming of Messiah and their own response, which was a long journey to render homage! May we all choose the response of these Wise Men, and bow our knees to Jesus the Christ, and offer Him whatever we have and are!
Saturday, January 06, 2007
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The MLK Jr. holiday here in San Antonio was bitterly cold and wet. So I stayed indoors and viewed another movie, one I'd had great desires of seeing before its first theater run ended.
It was "The Nativity Story". Dear reader, THIS is a VERY GOOD cinematic account of events leading up to and past the birth of our Savior, Jesus the Christ. I found the costumes, artifacts and actions of the film to be historically and Biblically accurate -- except for it following the tradition line that there were three Magi, who visited on the night of the birth, along with the shepherds. Other than that, it was a gr-r-r-reat movie!
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