Another Way
The Feast of the Epiphany, or The Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles
"We three kings of Orient are: bearing gifts we traverse afar..."
Today, on this high Feast of the Epiphany of Christ, we read of gentile kings traveling far searching for Israel's messiah, the one foretold of by the prophets, whom scripture revealed would be born in Bethlehem. Compelled by a bright eastern star, these wise men traveled in search of the King.
Traveling, or the ‘journey’ is an often-overlooked theme of Christmastide. Joseph and Mary, who being great with child, made the journey from Nazareth down to Bethlehem to pay the tax imposed by Ceaser. When they arrived, "the days were accomplished that she should be delivered" - Jesus was born, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.
On that very night, shepherds traveled from their fields to where the child lay because angels had traveled from heaven to earth to pronounce such good tidings to them, "Fear not; For unto you is born thid day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." And now, on this night, three wise men have left their homes, journeying to find the Messiah-King of Israel.
And yet, none of these journeys would have occurred or even mattered if a greater one had not transpired first when God in Christ left the riches of heaven and traveled to earth to take our humanity upon the Divine Self.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
By the incarnation, God coming down to earth, direction has been given to every wayward traveler. A journey without a destination is mindless wandering, movement without intention, motion for the sake of moving. But God desires that every path leads to his Son, Jesus Christ.
For by a star, he drew those who were afar and (using St. Paul's term) living in darkness to the Christ; into the radiance of his glory shining forth in the face of His only begotten Son born in history, born unto a virgin. For the time had come to make known the great mystery hidden in the previous dispensation, a mystery graciously revealed to St. Paul "...the mystery of Christ... which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ, by the Gospel."
This incredible mystery kept and guarded in the secrecy of the Holy Trinity, which Isaiah foretold, was first revealed by an Eastern star. That Light pointed to the True Light of whom St. John testified, "In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness. The Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." The Light of a Star led these Eastern Kings like a heavenly messenger (in fact, some church fathers say the Star was actually an angel) and led them into the majesty and glory of Christ, bringing them into the saving mercies of God. That very Light, my friends, has come into the world to save sinners.
And, in an age quick to label our God a tyrant, remember this: God's mercy placed that Star in the heavens. A star so mysterious and profound that both the wise Magi and the lowly shepherd were compelled to follow. The Feast of the Epiphany celebrates the revelation of God's mercy, his loving-kindness, and great desire "To bring unto the gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, to inaugurate the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Not the wisdom of this world, nor the princes of this world, but the wisdom of God" (Eph 3:8)
It was the merciful love of God that not only saw the lowly plight of Israel but the miserable estate of every man, woman, and child, both Jew and Gentile. In Christ, God fulfilled the promise spoken to the prophet Hosea, "I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved." For by a mysterious star, the nations represented in the Magi have come, from which the Father is making a new people, a new priesthood. And by His Son, calls all those in darkness to turn and come into His glorious Light. Rejoice in this great mystery of our salvation made known some 2,000 years ago and again tonight on this blessed Feast.
The great journey unto Jesus Christ began with the coming of the Magi, and even now, the wise of this world are also coming. Great and small, kings and slaves, men of all cultures and all peoples are coming. The men from the East were the first, followed by many more throughout the centuries. The wise men followed the Star; they grasped the revelation of Light, which was Divinely granted to them. Through the mysterious language of creation, they discovered the True God.
Yet, the majestic poetry of nature is not enough on its own. Ultimately, God's written Word guides us to Jesus, the great Star, the Divine supernova, the radiance of God's mercy and love shown upon a darkened world. Like the wise men, we must follow the revelation given to us, seeking Christ in the Holy Scriptures and finding Him in the sacrament of Holy Communion.
Where is he that is born King of the Jews? Where is Emmanuel, the one promised to be with us. Jesus, the one who saves us. Where is that bread of life for which we hunger? He is here. He has come to you through the Word and will be in you through the sacrament. He whom we have journeyed to find, the One that first journeyed to us, has come, and having found him, we will never be the same. If we will fall down before him and worship and give him the treasure of our hearts, we shall be changed. We will not leave and return by way of Herod, but being transformed by adoration, shall go home "another way," the way of Christ, which is the blessed path of all faithful travelers. Amen+
