Epiphany is coming up this Wednesday, January 6. It will be observed in most churches this Sunday, January 3.

The significance of this Sunday continues the Christmas story. We take a look at the ‘Magi’ or Wise Men who visited Jesus. So why would we talk about the Wise Men when Christmas is past.

Matthew chapter 2 tells us of this visit and we learn some interesting facts if we look at the scripture closely.

• Even though their visit with Jesus is traditionally taught as a part of the Christmas story, there is a distinct lack of a sense of time in the text, and many biblical scholars believe that these men from the east may not have seen Jesus until as late as two years after His birth. Their visit, in other words, needn’t be associated only with Christmas.
• We find no mention of the people of Bethlehem visiting Jesus. The shepherds, from one of the lowest classes, did herald the news in Luke’s account, but the other local people are quite conspicuously absent. Christ receives a noble witness of his divinity from heaven, and of his kingly estate from strangers: which his own people unknowingly allowed to happen without acknowledging him themselves.
• We hear of Herod’s involvement as he encourages the Magi to seek out this Child who is to be King and return word to him. While it would be natural for any king to be defensive of his throne (as it appeared that it was his throne that was in jeopardy) it was even more so for Herod as he was a foreigner and had become ruler by force.
• We are commonly given to infer that there were three Wise Men who visited Jesus. In fact the scripture does not mention how many Wise Men visited. It is supposed that there were three because of the number of gifts mentioned. There could have been more gifts of the same type given, gifts which were not mentioned or Wise Men who did not bring gifts at all. The Wise Men’s names are not mentioned and they seem to deliberately choose to remain anonymous.
• The importance of the gifts is their significance: Gold symbolized that He was and is the King of Kings. Frankincense, a type of incense often burned at altars, emphasized His deity. Myrrh, which was often used in embalming, foreshadowed His death on the Cross.
• Notice that the Magi came looking for God. It is interesting. Most people today (even some Christians) rarely go looking for God. Instead we wait for him to find us, perhaps hoping that he would just miraculously begin speaking to us through a sermon.
• Finally, we learn that The Wise Men departed into their own country another way. It’s easy to understand why they would do that. Herod had told them to return and let him know where he could find this child who would be King.