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Epiphany Sunday What’s it all about?

Epiphany Sunday What’s it all about?. In some cultures Epiphany is bigger than Christmas. Ritual of gift giving tied to wise men instead of a jolly old elf. Today we are rescuing the magi from the Christmas pageant. The word “epiphany” means: “manifestation” or “striking appearance”.

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Epiphany Sunday What’s it all about?

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  1. Epiphany SundayWhat’s it all about?

  2. In some cultures Epiphany is bigger than Christmas.

  3. Ritual of gift giving tied to wise men instead of a jolly old elf.

  4. Today we are rescuing the magi from the Christmas pageant.

  5. The word “epiphany” means: “manifestation” or “striking appearance”

  6. Big Question: Are these “once-upon-a-time” moments or do these epiphanies still happen?

  7. Matthew 2:1-122 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

  8. 6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;for out of you will come a ruler    who will shepherd my people Israel.’[b]”

  9. 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.

  10. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

  11. Ancient Interpretations of the Magi

  12. Melchior - old white beardGaspar - young, beardless, ruddyBalthasar - dark skinned, long beard

  13. Gifts: Gold - symbolizes kingshipFrankincense - symbolizes divinityMyrrh - symbolizes sacrifice

  14. Anticipated the diversity of ChristianityIndicates that there is no way that gifts could match the gift of the Christ child.

  15. The Gospel of Matthew essentially ends where it begins.

  16. Digging into the text...

  17. Matthew does not number the magi.It would have been a large caravan traveling for weeks.

  18. The word “magi” refers to astrologers who studied the heavens. Probably came from Babylon - seat of astronomical study.

  19. Herod calls the religious scholars of his day who cite prophecySanhedrin

  20. The magi see the star when the arrive in BethlehemThe gifts given were standard gifts given on royal visitsThey were all warned in a dream.

  21. What does all this mean?

  22. In the end, no matter where you come from or what your background is--your search for truth, meaning and ultimate purpose begins and ends with Jesus.

  23. The magi are seekers, who begin in an unlikely way, but find the truth that transcends all others

  24. “Not every committed Christian has a taste for actually kneeling in the muck of a barn in a backwater town with astonished recognition that this is where God prefers to make an entrance.

  25. Everyone is invited to the celebration, even those who have been traveling radically different paths on their search for a true home.

  26. “Our hearts are restless till they find their rest in Thee... O Lord.” - St. Augustine.

  27. Kamal Saleem - heard the voice of God speaking to him, converted from radical Islam

  28. Sally Read, atheist poet who finally went to church and had a dramatic spiritual experience.

  29. My own journey has taken me to some strange places...

  30. Let me ask you a question... What’s your story on how you got here?

  31. What sort of ending or next chapter would you like to see written?

  32. Wise men still seek him.

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