Why Epiphany?
We are focusing on Epiphany, so the entire week will use Matthew 2: 1-12 for the scripture lesson.
Matthew 2: 1-12
I have mentioned before that I grew up in a tradition that didn’t really follow the liturgical calendar. I didn’t know what Advent was until I became a United Methodist in my 20s. I had never seen an Advent wreath until then. Lent was something that my Catholic friends observed. We celebrated Christmas and Easter, but I don’t remember much about Epiphany even though we learned about the Wise Men. What I did know about Epiphany was that it began king cake season. And yet celebrating the Feast of Epiphany can not only educate us and bring us those delicious king cakes but enrich our understanding the miracle of the Incarnation.
We celebrate Epiphany because God chooses to be revealed. The word epiphany means “to make known,” and in this feast we remember that God does not remain distant or hidden. In Jesus, God steps into the world in a way that can be seen, known, and encountered. The star that led the Magi reminds us that God takes the first step toward us, shining light into places of uncertainty and searching.
Epiphany also matters because it shows us that Jesus is for everyone. The Magi were outsiders—foreigners, seekers, people who didn’t “belong”—yet they were among the first to recognize Christ. Their journey tells us that God’s love is not limited by borders, backgrounds, or expectations. Jesus is revealed as Savior not just for a few, but for the whole world.
Finally, we celebrate Epiphany because encountering Jesus changes us. When the Magi meet Christ, they worship—and then they return home by a different road. Epiphany reminds us that when God is revealed to us, our response matters. We are invited to worship, to offer what we have, and to walk forward changed, carrying Christ’s light into the world.
I hope that you will get to enjoy some really good king cake this season, although your only option may be Publix or Kroger. Remember if you get the baby, you have to bring the next cake. I also hope that during this season after Epiphany leading up to Lent that you will ponder the miracle of the Incarnation and what it means for you and the whole world.
Prayer
God of light, reveal yourself to us anew. Lead us by your truth, draw us into worship, and send us out changed to shine your light in the world. Amen.
Rev. Dana Ezell
