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Epiphany: Wise men and the Capitol Building

 





We have just celebrated Epiphany when we remember the coming of the wise men to the infant Jesus (probably a toddler by that time).   For the church this represents the unveiling (Epiphany or ‘a ha’ moment) of the light of the love of God for the whole world and not just the Jewish people.  The images usually seen in cards and nativity scenes are of the wise men kneeling or bowing and offering their gifts to this baby born into a very humble and poor family.  This was the One who came to bring ‘peace on earth’.

It is tragic therefore that on the evening of Epiphany here, but midway through the day in the US, we had the crowd storm the Capitol building after inflammatory speeches by President Trump and others.   There are deep grievances among elements of US society, like any nation, of feeling left behind by global social and economic changes and they are afraid of what a Democrat Administration may mean for them and their values and livelihood.  They feel threatened, and are open to manipulation by anyone that offers to speak for them and defend their cause.   And then things go too far and violence and law breaking occurs and a great nation is shamed before the world.  Power is volatile and we have had a glimpse here of its’ raw ugliness

The image of the wise men kneeling ‘to bring homage’ illustrates another understanding of power .  These were significant people in their own right, used to the respect and perhaps even adulation of others, even if they were not kings as such.  And yet they lay aside their power and show dignified grace in kneeling before this Jewish infant in the most unexpected of circumstances.     The grace that they showed  points to the life and death of this infant who would ‘lay aside his majesty and became a servant, obedient unto death’.

This has been an unforgettable Epiphany.  Not only because of Covid and the rare junction of Saturn and Jupiter which many astronomers are convinced is the ‘star that guided the wise men but now the ugliness in Washington.   Let us hope, that both we and all those making their way home from Washington, Politicians and protestors alike will, like the wise men, ‘go home by another way’.

Comments

  1. UnknownJanuary 7, 2021 at 11:47 AM

    Thank you for your wisdom today and your prayers yesterday, Paul. I told Sarah last night that we must be like the Magi and recognize the evil we see in selfish leaders and reject it outright. So thankful for the Watson family's leadership and friendship and example of faithful living. Much love from Texas.

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