Epiphany
originally published on January 6, 2021
Kings of the East, the Magi, famously journeyed from their countries to Bethlehem of Judea, following a star and bearing gifts for the newborn King of the Jews, Jesus the Christ.
The Biblical account is brief, but these kings, these non-Jews, in their act of worshiping Jesus manifest to the world that Jesus will be a light for all nations not just the Jewish nation. The word Epiphany means manifestation.
The Magi followed the Star of Bethlehem. There are various theories about this star and why it appeared then and why it was so bright. But get this quotation from Matthew 2:
“And behold, the star that they had seen in the East went before them, until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.”
Now, this is certainly unusual behavior for a star! I think that this “star” was no mere star, but a special Heavenly sign (an angel, perhaps?) that looked like a star and that carefully guided the Magi to their destination.