Epiphany II- Mark 1:1-11

 For some reason, the Sarum rite and historic English Books of Common Prayer omitted the Baptism of our Lord from the communion lectionary. The 1928 American BCP reintroduced this ancient Epiphany theme and inserted it for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany (Mark 1:1-11).  Jesus came to be baptized by John in order to fulfill all righteousness. He was personally sinless, but our incarnate Lord identified with the human need for spiritual cleansing. In His human nature, He also received a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as He began His public ministry. Finally, the heavenly voice proclaimed Jesus to be the Son of God. Christ's Baptism manifests the Holy Trinity. 

This event in Jesus' life is a unique manifestation or epiphany of the divine glory in Christ. It reveals who He is,  and it anticipates His whole public ministry and work for human salvation. He is the Son of God who brings redemption to sinful humanity.

Epiphany I- Luke 2:52

 One of the liturgical/lectionary idiosyncrasies of traditional Anglicanism is evident on the First Sunday after Epiphany. On this Sunday, many calendars and lectionaries, ancient and modern, commemorate the manifestation of Christ at His Baptism. However, Books of Common Prayer from 1549 through 1928 and 1962 focus on the visit of the Holy Family, including twelve-year-old Jesus, to the Temple. The 1928 American BCP provides for the Baptism on Epiphany II, and the 1962 Canadian BCP provides for the Baptism with optional propers to be used on Epiphany or later.

The epiphany or manifestation of the youthful Jesus in St. Luke 2:41-52 shows forth both His true humanity and His divine Sonship. The reality of His human development is summarized in Luke 2:52, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."

Throughout His life on earth, our Lord Jesus Christ was both unique and ordinary. He sensed His unique relationship with God the heavenly Father, and He knew that He was called to live as a real but perfect human being. Unlike fallen humans, He always put the Father first. He grew and developed without sin. Although we are sinners who repeatedly fall short of Christ's perfection, His example should elicit our humble and faithful response. As Christians, we affirm the unique manifestation of God in Christ while we also seek the grace to follow Him and grow in wisdom and holiness. 

Epiphany- 6 January- Matthew 2

 Epiphany on January 6 is probably the oldest Christian feast besides Easter and Pentecost. In the early Greek-speaking Church, the day was about several of Christ's manifestations- His birth, His Baptism, and the beginning of His public ministry. Later, especially in the Latin churches, the day of Epiphany itself became associated with the coming of the Magi. In modern times, although Epiphany remains on church calendars, it is often neglected. For many Christians, even many Anglicans, it is anticipated, postponed, or ignored. In many cases, all that remains of the traditional observance may be wise men in a pre-Christmas children's December pageant, a carol, or a reading from Matthew 2 in a service of lessons.

However, Epiphany deserves our attention because it embodies significant Christian themes. The Wise Men or Magi represent the coming of the Gentiles or nations to Christ. Their natural human search for wisdom led them to respond to God's sign in nature and follow the star. Yet, before they could complete their journey, they also needed the guidance of Holy Scripture. Finally, they came to the Holy Child, and they did what every person should do. They fell down in adoration or worship, and they offered Him precious gifts.

At Epiphany, let us still seek Christ and follow the guidance of Scripture. Let us worship Him and offer Him our best gifts. Now that the worldly Yule and New Year have passed, Epiphany is an opportunity for Christians to pursue quieter and deeper devotion. So let us reflect on the coming of our Savior to save all nations!

Christmas II- Matthew 2: 19-23

This year, there is a Second Sunday after Christmas, a Sunday that does not occur every year and lacks a notable liturgical identity. Many service books, including some Books of Common Prayer, do not provide propers for the day, but the 1928 BCP does contain a collect and lessons. The Gospel from Matthew 2:19-23 refers to the sojourn of the Holy Family in Egypt and their return to the Holy Land, to Nazareth. 

It has been observed that here we see the Holy Family, and the Christ Child in particular, reliving the history of Israel. In re-reading this account, I was struck by the association of the names of the Holy Family with the Exodus. Saint Joseph bears the name of the patriarch who provided for the survival of Israel. The Virgin Mary's name is derived from the name of Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, a prophetess. And of course, the name Jesus is a version of Joshua, the assistant and successor of Moses. His name means "the Lord saves."

So, the journey of the Holy Family and their names allude to a great new divine act of redemption. Christ's Birth, early life, ministry, death, and resurrection are parts of the same story. The Lord God saved and freed His people in Egypt, during the Exodus, and in their return to the Promised Land.  Through Jesus, who is the Christ, God is doing something that is both similar and much greater. The Incarnation is rooted in Israel's past, but it transcends that past. Jesus is the one who embodies eternal salvation. The true joy of Christmas is based on God's redemptive work in Jesus!