Epiphany

• Epiphany came from the Greek word “epiphaneia” which means ‘revelation’ or ‘manifestation’
• The Three Magi from the east saw a new star and knew it meant the fulfillment of the ancient prophecy of the Messiah
• King Herod ruled Judea and saw the arrival of the savior as a threat to his power
• Melchor gifted Jesus gold symbolizing kingship; Gaspar gave frankincense for prayer and priesthood; Baltazar gifted myrrh for Jesus’ death
• The Chalking of Doors tradition involves adding the first two numbers of the year, the letters C, M, B (Caspar, Melchoir, Baltazar), and the last two numbers of the year
• The letters CMB stand for the Latin phrase, “Christus mansionem benedicat" or "Christ, bless this house”
• Judah was one of the twelve sons of Jacob and the ancestor of the Tribe of Judah, from whom a ruler was expected to emerge
• Samuel, son of Hannah, was dedicated to the service of God and anointed the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David
• Samuel anointed Saul as the first king and later anointed David as the future king
• David succeeded Saul and became one of the greatest kings in Israel's history
• Names of God:

  • Rabbi: Hebrew; spiritual/religious teacher
  • Lamb of God: Greek; refers to Jesus as the perfect sacrifice for humanity's sins
  • Messiah: Hebrew; the anointed/chosen one
  • Christ: Greek; the anointed/chosen one
  • Jesus: Greek; savior
  • Emmanuel: Hebrew; God is with us
  • Yahweh: Hebrew; God of the Israelites
  • Yeshua: Hebrew; deliver, savior, rescuer
• Faith = hope; Hold on, pains end
• The Magi, also known as the Three Wise Men, were not necessarily kings but men of great learning from the east
• We celebrate the 3 Magi after Christmas on January 6
• The closest term for Magi might be "astrologers"
• The word Magi comes from the Greek word “Magos" which is also translated as “Magic" in English