December, 2004
Get Ready for Epiphany, Jan. 6 or closest Sunday.
The first time I went to an Epiphany service I was not certain what to expect. Having been raised in a nonliturgical tradition, I didn't know the meaning of the word epiphany. But I looked it up and discovered it meant "an appearance or manifestation, especially of a divine being." It was also interesting for me to discover the word had special meaning in the ancient world because it was used to describe the appearance of a ruler. The same culture that birthed the Bible and the early church celebrated the visit of its ruler with great pomp and circumstance. The ruler's visit was always a lavish affair marked by feasting and a celebrative mood. I assumed the service was going to celebrate the Epiphany, the appearance of Jesus, and do so in a lavish fashion.
I was immediately drawn up into the meaning of the service and into the place it played in the unfolding drama of the mystery of salvation as we stood to sing:
What star is this, with beams so bright,
more beauteous than the noonday light?
It shines to hearld for a king,
and Gentiles to his crib to bring. (1)
Again, the meaning of why I was there struck my mind and heart as the minister prayed: "O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest Thy only begotten Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know Thee now by faith, to Thy presence, where we may behold Thy glory face to face; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen." (2)
In the early church the feast of Epiphany originally celebrated the birth of Christ. However, after the birth of Christ was placed on December 25th to replace the pagan feast of the birth of the sun, Epiphany was designated as the event that manifested Jesus as the Son of God, the Savior of the world. In the East, Epiphany was appointed as the day to celebrate the baptism of Jesus. However, in the West, Epiphany became the day to celebrate the manifestation of Jesus through three great events: the visit of the Magi, the baptism of Jesus, and the marriage feast of Cana.
Today Epiphany brings us to the end of the Christmas cycle, completing the great rhythm of expectation and fulfillment that defines this period of time. It also points to the beginning of Christ's manifestation to the world, a ministry that not only happened in the first century but happens now within the church and within us as we travel through the unfolding of the paschal mystery of the liturgical year.
Why not lead an Epiphany service this year and urge your people to an Epiphany spirituality - manifesting Christ to others.
(Excerpt from Ancient-Future Time)
More explanation and Epiphany worship resources are found in The Complete Library of Christian Worship Vol. 5, The Services of the Christian Year. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1993. pp. 157-220.
* Open and Free Invitation: Jan. 25 4:00-7:00pm at Northern Seminary, Lombard, IL. Robert Webber will lead a seminar on The Easter Vigil "Come find out how to do this striking and engaging service this year!" For information: 630-620-2130
Bob Webber
Myers Professor of Ministry
Director of M.A. in Worship and Spirituality
Northern Seminary—www.seminary.edu
(See Northern's M.A. in Worship and Spirituality and D.Min. in Worship by clicking on the website.)
