Epiphany
January 4, 2009

Scripture Introductions
by Stewart Clarke

The first reading has been selected for its references that remind us of the 
magi, but there is a danger that we pay so much attention to them that we 
ignore the original references and concerns of the prophet and the Hebrew 
people, in which gold and frankincense were intended for them!

The words come from the third prophet whom we call Isaiah.. The first 
(chapters 1 - 39) spoke in Jerusalem, often to the king. The second 
(chapters 40 - 55) spoke to the people in Exile in Babylon.. This voice is 
of the prophet of the Return or Restoration, encouraging the people in 
rebuilding a nation, a country, a capital and a Temple.

The people who had been oppressed would be honoured by God's will and God's 
presence.  But, while they would be honoured, others, who had despised them 
and despoiled them would pay homage and bow before them![2]

We hear references that obviously relate to the visit of the wise men (magi) 
to the Baby Jesus.    As we listen, may our ears be attentive also to its 
original meaning.

Let's listen closely to the prophet's song in:

Isaiah 60: 1-6

Unless you prefer to save your thanks and praise until after the Gospel 
reading,  or you may prefer a moment of silence, you may want to say 
something like Let us be bearers of God's light to the world, Amen.



The Psalm asks God's grace for the king, who will represent God, that his 
rule be of justice, especially for the poor.

Let's...

Ps. 72: 1-7, 10-14



I dearly wish that I could confidently say that Paul is the author of the 
letter to the Ephesians, because it expresses wisdom in so many ways, but, 
as I understand it, there are too many discrepancies. Still, there is 
wisdom, and there is the emphasis on the Gentiles that is dear to Paul's 
heart.  And we should remember that, technically, we are Gentiles. This 
shift would be utterly shocking.  There were laws against mingling, even 
mingling threads of different kind in weaving!   Ezra had flown into a tizzy 
when he returned to Jerusalem and found Jews married to Gentiles.  It was 
not only cultural, but a matter of purity and one's very identity! 
Unfortunately,   Christians have a history of anti-Semitism, which, surely, 
goes against the message of Jesus and the example of Paul.

Appropriately, since the magi were also Gentiles, we are reminded of the 
Gentile (our) inclusion in God's grace.

So let us hear what the Epistle says concerning our blessing, in:

Ephesians 3: 1-12.

May we welcome and embrace all who call upon the name of the Lord. Amen.



The Gospel reading has fascinated not only Christians as folk have tried to 
explain the magi and the star!    Their intellectual and, perhaps, spiritual 
struggles can be interesting, but the point is not in historical analysis, 
but in listening for the message that Jesus' birth is significant not only 
to Jews, but to Gentiles, not only to ordinary folk, but to rulers and to 
the learned and wise.

So, let us listen to Matthew's story of praise in :

Matthew 2: 12

Let us honour and give thanks for the birth of Jesus. Amen.

It is appropriate to follow the readings with thanks and praise.

Notes:

 With thanks to CAM and EMC.

 It seems normal, even if inconsistent with true Shalom, that those who 
had been oppressed look forward, not only to liberation, but to oppressing!


(Comments to Stew at stewclarke@eastlink.ca.)