An Epiphany Message from our Pastor
Reverend Thomas G. Graham
The Christmas Cycle of Seasons continues as the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas reaches Twelfth Night and the church calendar turns the page to the Season of Epiphany.
Epiphany arrives with the Adoration of the Magi — the traditional date is January 6th. In contrast to the Jewish shepherds who are simple men of low station, these "Wise Men" — the Three Kings from the Orient — are wealthy, worldly and gentile. Thus, the God of the Incarnation is for all people, everywhere.
These wise men bring gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. These costly gifts speak to the status of the newborn Jesus. The gold signifies his kingly birth and heritage. The frankincense and myrrh forebode his death and sacrifice for all.
The season of Epiphany continues through the commemorations of the Baptism and Presentation of Christ — Candlemas — until the Sunday of the Transfiguration, which precedes the Season of Lent.
Candlemas is the commemoration of the Presentation of Jesus Christ at the Temple of Jerusalem and symbolizes his advent as the light of the world, with Simeon prophesying Jesus as:
A light to lighten the Gentiles; and the glory of thy people Israel. Luke 2:32
The blessing of candles, traditional since the 11th century, is the common means of commemoration and the origin of the present name. The feast is celebrated on February 2nd, the fortieth day after the birth of Christ, as Levitical law decreed that the period during which women who had newly given birth to male children must abstain from Temple. On the fortieth day Mary came to the Temple, was herself purified according to the law, and presented the Christ child along with the prescribed sacrifice with which to redeem him -- a pair of doves.
Candlemas is celebrated as a feast of Our Lord in the Eastern Church. In the Roman Catholic rite it has been overtaken by the cult of the Virgin Mary, and as a result is largely disused within the Protestant churches. In reaction to Roman usage, during the thirtieth year of his reign King Henry VIII issued the proclamation:
"On Candelmas Day it shall be declared that the bearing of Candles is done in the memory of Christ, the spiritual light whom Simeon did prophesie, as it is read in the Church that day."
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