Epiphany the Search for God 3.1.88

Epiphany The Search for God 3.1.88

If the Christmas story conveys the coming of God into the world, by the birth of Jesus Christ, then the Epiphany of Christ – the visit of the Wise men to Jesus – portrays man’s search for God.

It was by the light of a star, unusual in its appearance and brilliance, that the Wise men were guided to where the child lay, the child born to be King.

Human beings have always searched for God. Trying to understand this life on earth, and their place and purpose in it; knowing their need of God, and trying to find answers to the problems of pain and suffering in the world.

There were those in ancient days who worshipped the Gods of nature, the natural phenomena they saw and experienced on earth: the sun and moon, fire and water, trees, rocks and rivers. They made images of them and worshipped them as Gods. The cycles of seasons inspired all kinds of strange rites and ceremonies. It was in the religion of the Jewish people, the Israelites, that they first came to believe in one God, a creator God, who had made the heavens and the earth. He made himself known through the ages first to the Patriarchs and later the Prophets. They came to believe they had been called into a special relationship with God.

When Jesus Christ was born into the world, the world was ready for the coming of Christ. The Jewish people had long awaited the coming of the Messiah, God’s anointed one. The Prophets had foretold the birth of Christ. Even the Roman historians knew that there was, at that time, a sense of expectancy of the coming of a King which would bring in a new age, a golden age, and they wrote about it.

The world was ready for the birth of a King. When the Wise men, whose profession ti was to watch the heavens, saw the unusual appearance of this particular bright star, they believed it top be a sign or portent that this thing was about to happen. They set off in faith, in search of this child who was born to be King of the Jews. We know that they found their way to Bethlehem, and when they saw the little child, born in a stable, they fell down and worshipped him. They were the first Gentiles to come to Christ. The true search for God always culminates in, or reaches its highest point in an act of worship. It must lead to worship. It wasn’t just an act of curiosity, to see if there calculations were correct. They believed in the importance of the event. They prostrated themselves before this mother and child and presented their offerings, treasures worthy to be given to a King.

There are some who search for God but don’t know what they are looking for, like those who search for esoteric forms of worship. They haven’t found the Christ-child. They don’t know Jesus Christ, so they loose their way and give up the search.

There is a Mission Song of praise with the words, “ Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you, Alleluia”!

What are these things but the riches of Christ. His wisdom, authority and all His Spiritual gifts St Paul refers to them in his letter to the Ephesians as the unsearchable riches’ of Christ. Meaning that there is no end to them. The more we search the more we shall receive.

The search for God is a lifetime’s journey. Those who have experienced Christ in their lives and have come to worship him know that he is our guiding star. Our light on the way. We can only approach God through Jesus Christ and in an act of worship. It is the recognition of God coming to us in such great humility in the presence of a tiny, helpless babe-in-arms, dependant upon human parents which should bring us to our knees lost in wonder, love and praise.

Anyone who has visited the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem knows that the entrance to the cave where Jesus wa supposed to have been born is a door which is so low that people have to stoop when they enter. It is apt and fitting that every person should approach the infant Jesus upon their knees.

The word worship means ‘giving to God his worth’. But what can we give that is worthy of God our Creator and Redeemer who came to us in the form of man?

There is an ancient Carol that asks the same question. “What can I give him , poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man, I would do my part; yet what can I give him – give my heart”. That is what he asks of us that we may love him and follow him, trust him and obey.

One could say of the Wise men that when they had found the Christ-child their search had ended. But to arrive at the cave of Bethlehem is only the beginning of the story and the beginning of the search. Although they had found the Christ-child, they also knew it was the beginning of a new age and they wanted to be part of it. The Christian when he truly comes to know Jesus Christ knows it is only the beginning of his journey, his personal pilgrimage.

Each New Year, the glories, the trials, the sorrows and the victories of Christ’s life are marked by celebrations throughout the Christian year, and we try in some way to relate our own lives or life-style in the pattern of Christ’s life.

As the stars revolve in their courses., so there is an endless cycle of life on the Christian scene when each year we try to deepen our commitment to Christ and pray that our spiritual understanding will be increased and that our lives may continue to reflect in some way the likeness of Christ. He is our guiding star and light on the way.

This, then is the age-long Epiphany of Christ, wherein human stars following their appointed courses, lead ever fresh caravans of souls to the humble and lowly shrine of Christ, that they may learn to worship him.

There is a poem by Margaret Cropper which aptly illustrates some of these thoughts:-

A Deep Way Down

It’s a deep way down to the Holy manger, And a road that the proud can never find, To that humble place that we shrink from seeking, Where the daring Mercy sets us free.

For there we discover the great undoing, And abandonment with its hidden pain, And in having nothing and claiming little, The unmeasured secret of heavenly gain.

Lord Jesus, what must I leave behind me To come where you lie so small and still, Is it cloak of honour, or chain of power, Or the dark disguise of the selfish will?