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What Is The Epiphany Of The Lord? | King James Audio Bible KJV
The Epiphany of the Lord, also known as Epiphany or Theophany, is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ. It is observed on January 6 in many Western Christian churches, and on the Sunday between January 2 and 8 in Eastern Christian churches.
The word “epiphany” comes from the Greek word “epiphaneia,” which means “manifestation” or “appearance.” In the Christian tradition, the Epiphany is considered to be the day when the divinity of Jesus was revealed to the world through the visit of the Magi, also known as the three wise men or kings, who brought gifts to the newborn Jesus.
The Epiphany is a major feast day in the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and many Protestant denominations. It is a time for Christians to remember and celebrate the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God and the saviour of the world. It is also a time to reflect on the meaning of Christ’s incarnation and the significance of the Magi’s visit as an expression of the universality of Jesus’ message and the inclusivity of God’s love.
See also Epiphany Of The Lord – Meditation And Reflection
Who Were The Magi – The Three Kings Or Three Wise Men?
The Magi, also known as the three wise men or three kings, are mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible in the account of the birth of Jesus. According to the Gospel of Matthew, they were “wise men from the East” who came to Jerusalem in search of the newborn king of the Jews.
The Magi were guided to Jesus by a star, and when they arrived, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. According to tradition, the Magi were wise and learned men who studied the stars and were skilled in the interpretation of dreams. They are often depicted as kings in artistic representations of the Nativity, and their visit is seen as a symbol of the universality of Jesus’ message and the inclusivity of God’s love.
There is little information about the Magi in the Bible, and their identities have been the subject of much speculation and debate among scholars. Some traditions hold that the Magi were kings from distant lands, while others suggest that they were priests or astrologers. The Magi are revered as important figures in the Christian tradition, and their visit to the newborn Jesus is celebrated on the feast day of the Epiphany.
See also: Journey Of The Magi | T.S. Eliot | Audio | Christian Poems | Word Aloud:
What Were The Names Of The Magi?
According to tradition, the three Magi who visited Jesus were named Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. These names were not mentioned in the Bible, but they appear in later writings and artistic representations of the Nativity.
Caspar is traditionally depicted as an elderly man with a white beard, and is often associated with the gift of gold. Melchior is usually portrayed as a middle-aged man with a reddish beard, and is associated with the gift of frankincense. Balthazar is typically depicted as a young man with a dark beard, and is associated with the gift of myrrh.
The names and identities of the Magi are not mentioned in the Bible, and there is no further historical evidence to confirm the details of their visit to Jesus. The names and traditions surrounding the Magi have developed over time through prayer and artistic interpretation.
What Is The Significance Of The Gifts Of The Magi?
The gifts of the Magi, also known as the three wise men or three kings, are mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible in the account of the birth of Jesus. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the Magi brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the newborn Jesus.
The significance of the gifts is largely symbolic and has been the subject of much interpretation and discussion over the centuries. Gold is a precious metal that has long been associated with kings and royalty, and it is thought that the gift of gold may have symbolized Jesus’ status as the King of the Jews. Frankincense is an aromatic resin used in the production of incense and perfume, and it is often associated with spirituality and holiness. The gift of frankincense may have symbolized Jesus’ divine nature and his role as a spiritual leader. Myrrh is a resin extracted from trees that was commonly used in ancient times for its medicinal properties and as a component of perfumes and incense. The gift of myrrh may have symbolized Jesus’ suffering and death, as it was also used as a burial spice.
What Was The Star Followed By The Three Wise Men?
The nature of the star that is said to have guided the Magi, the three wise men or three kings, to the birthplace of Jesus is not clearly described in the Bible and has been the subject of much speculation and debate among scholars.
The Gospel of Matthew, which is the only New Testament gospel that mentions the star, describes it as a “star in the east” that “went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was” (Matthew 2:2). Some interpreters have understood this to be a literal celestial object, such as a supernova or a comet, while others have seen it as a symbolic or miraculous manifestation.
There have been many attempts throughout history to identify the star with a specific astronomical event or phenomenon, such as the appearance of a comet or the alignment of certain planets. However, there is no scientific or historical evidence to support any of these theories, and it is ultimately impossible to know for certain what the star was or how it led the Magi to Jesus.
In the Christian tradition, the star is often seen as a divine sign or a miracle, and it is understood to be a symbol of the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God and the saviour of the world.
Are There Other Historical Accounts Of Herod’s Massacre Of The Innocents?
The massacre of the innocents is an event described in the New Testament of the Bible as having occurred after the birth of Jesus. According to the Gospel of Matthew, King Herod the Great, who ruled Judea in the first century, ordered the killing of all male children in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old or younger, in an attempt to eliminate the newborn Jesus, whom he believed to be a threat to his throne.
The massacre of the innocents is not mentioned in any other historical accounts from the time period, and there is no independent verification of the event. Some scholars have suggested that the story may be based on a historical event that was later embellished or that it is a purely symbolic narrative with no basis in fact. Others have argued that the massacre of the innocents may have been a historical event that has been overlooked or suppressed in the historical record.
How Old Was Jesus When Visited By The Magi?
According to the New Testament of the Bible, Jesus was visited by the Magi, the three wise men or three kings, when he was a newborn baby. The Gospel of Matthew states that they came to Jerusalem in Search Of The Newborn “King Of The Jews” And That They Followed A Star That Led Them To The Place Where Jesus Was Born (Matthew 2:1-2).
It is not clear exactly how old Jesus was at the time of the visit of the Magi, but he was likely less than two years old, as this is the age of the male children who were supposedly killed by King Herod in an attempt to eliminate the newborn Jesus (Matthew 2:16). Scholars suggest that Jesus was born around the years 6-4 BC, based on historical and astronomical evidence. The exact date of Jesus’ birth is not known with certainty.
For How Long Were Jesus And Mary And Joseph In Egypt?
According to the New Testament of the Bible, Jesus, his mother Mary, and his adoptive father Joseph fled to Egypt to escape the wrath of King Herod the Great, who was attempting to kill the newborn Jesus. The Gospel of Matthew, which is the only New Testament gospel that mentions this event, states that an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and warned him to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus, where they would be safe from Herod’s persecution (Matthew 2:13-15).
It is not stated in the Bible for how long Jesus, Mary, and Joseph stayed in Egypt, but it was likely for a relatively short period of time. After King Herod’s death, the angel appeared to Joseph again in a dream and told him that it was safe to return to Palestine, and so he took Mary and Jesus back to their homeland (Matthew 2:19-20).
How Is The Epiphany Celebrated In Modern Christendom?
There are many different ways in which the Epiphany is celebrated in modern Christendom, depending on the specific traditions and practices of different churches and denominations. Some common elements of the celebration of the Epiphany include:
- Worship services and prayers: Many churches hold special services or Masses on the Epiphany to celebrate the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God and the savior of the world. These may include prayers, hymns, and readings from the Bible.
- Processions: In some traditions, the Epiphany is marked by processions in which participants carry statues or icons of the Magi, who are revered as important figures in the Nativity story.
- Blessing of water: In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Epiphany is also known as the Feast of the Baptism of Christ, and it is celebrated with the blessing of water. This may involve the immersion of a cross in a body of water, the pouring of holy water over the heads of believers, or the distribution of blessed water to the faithful.
- Gift-giving: In some countries, the Epiphany is a time for gift-giving, similar to Christmas in other parts of the world. This tradition is often associated with the gifts that the Magi are said to have brought to the newborn Jesus.
- Special meals: Many people celebrate the Epiphany by gathering with friends and family to share special meals or treats, such as traditional baked goods like the Epiphany cake, or galette des rois in France.
The celebration of the Epiphany is an opportunity for Christians to remember and celebrate the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God and the saviour of the world, and to reflect on the significance of this event for the faith.
In the Bible, a miracle is an event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore attributed to a divine agency. Miracles are often seen as a sign of the intervention of God in the affairs of human beings. In the Old Testament, the most famous miracles are the Ten Plagues of Egypt, in which God punished the Pharaoh for refusing to release the Israelites from slavery, and the parting of the Red Sea, in which God allowed the Israelites to escape from the pursuing Egyptians by opening a path through the sea. In the New Testament, the miracles of Jesus are a central part of his ministry and are seen as evidence of his divinity. These include healings, such as the restoration of sight to the blind and the raising of the dead, and acts of nature, such as turning water into wine and walking on water. Is There A Theological Significance To Jesus’ Miracles? In the Christian tradition, the miracles performed by Jesus are seen as a manifestation of his divinity and as proof of his authority to teach and heal. Many of these miracles are described in the Gospels of the New Testament, which are the primary source of information about the life and teachings of Jesus. The purpose of the miracles, according to the Gospels, was to demonstrate Jesus’ power over natural forces and to show that he had the authority to forgive sins and offer salvation to those who believed in him. Why Did Jesus Ask To Keep His Miracles Secret? ‘Tell No One Of This.’ In the Gospels, there are a few instances where Jesus tells people not to tell others about what he has done for them. For example, in the Gospel of Matthew, after Jesus healed a man who was possessed by demons, he told the man, ‘See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a proof to them’ (Matthew 8:4). In this case, it seems that Jesus was concerned that the man’s testimony might not be believed or might be misunderstood, and so he asked him to keep the experience to himself for the time being. It is difficult to say for sure why Jesus might have asked someone to keep quiet about a miracle without knowing the specific context in which the request was made. However, some possible reasons that come to mind include: To avoid drawing unnecessary attention to himself. In the Gospels, Jesus often tries to avoid drawing too much attention to himself, especially from the authorities who are hostile to him. Asking someone to keep quiet about a miracle might be one way of avoiding unwanted attention and allowing Jesus to continue his ministry without interference. To allow the person who was healed to experience the transformation for themselves. In some cases, the person who was healed might have been skeptical or unsure of what had happened to them. Asking them to keep quiet about the miracle might have given them time to reflect on the experience and come to their own understanding of it without being influenced by others. To test the person’s faith. In some cases, Jesus might have asked someone to keep quiet about a miracle as a test of their faith. If they were truly grateful for what Jesus had done for them, they would be willing to follow his instructions and trust that he had a good reason for asking them to keep quiet. These are just a few possible reasons why Jesus might have asked someone to keep quiet about a miracle. It is important to remember that the Gospels are ancient texts and that we must be careful not to impose our own interpretations on them without considering the historical and cultural context in which they were written. To avoid creating conflict or division. In the Gospels, Jesus often encounters people who are skeptical or hostile to his teachings, and he sometimes tries to avoid confrontations with them. Asking someone to keep quiet about a miracle might be one way of avoiding a confrontation or a heated debate that could disrupt his ministry. To avoid being misunderstood or misrepresented. In some cases, the person who was healed might not have understood the full significance of what Jesus had done for them, and they might have tried to explain it in a way that distorted or misrepresented the truth. Asking them to keep quiet might have given Jesus time to explain things to them more fully and help them to understand the true meaning of the miracle. To avoid becoming a spectacle. In the Gospels, there are many instances where people are amazed by the miracles that Jesus performs, and they often try to make him into a kind of celebrity or showman. Asking someone to keep quiet about a miracle might have been one way of avoiding this kind of attention and keeping the focus on the message that Jesus was trying to convey. What Is The Significance Of Miracle Of The Wedding At Cana? In the Christian tradition, the wedding at Cana is significant because it is the first of the miracles performed by Jesus that is recorded in the Gospels of the New Testament. This event is described in the Gospel of John, where it is said that Jesus, along with his mother Mary and his disciples, attended a wedding in the town of Cana. At the wedding, the host ran out of wine, and Mary asked Jesus to help. In response, Jesus turned water into wine, which is seen as a miraculous act that demonstrated his power and authority. In the Gospel of John, after Mary asks Jesus to help with the wine at the wedding in Cana, he replies, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4). This statement is often seen as indicating that Jesus was aware […]
The poem is an address to the Holy Spirit, symbolized as fire or a spark, exploring themes of divine transformation, purification, and ultimate union with God. Herbert opens with an acknowledgment of the Spirit’s divinity, emanating from the presence of the Saviour’s face. The Spirit is seen as belonging naturally to this celestial realm, yet the poet invites the Spirit to ‘take a bad lodging’ in his heart, reflecting humility and recognition of his own imperfections [ … ]
Herbert structures the poem as a dramatic monologue, with Christ narrating his journey to the Cross. The refrain not only highlights the unmatched sorrow of Christ’s ordeal but also serves as a rhetorical question that invites readers to contemplate such depth of Christ’s sacrifice. The refrain anchors each stanza and reinforces a theme of unparalleled grief [ … ]
