Ephifany – the feast of mission for the church. ♥
Eph. 3:1-12
"He had chosen the nation of Israel, and one family out of that nation", (Leo the Great)
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Rom. 8:1-2
Apostle Paul in Rom. 9:1-5, 11:1-6, 11:11-14, 11:16-18 and 1 Peter 2:9 (I belong to the rojal priesthood!).
Rev. Dr Scott Murray:
"Merry Christmas! Yes, Christmas has not ended. The Epiphany is the manifestation or revelation of the One who came at Christmas. This is why today is sometimes called the "Gentile's Christmas." He who was the glory of the people of Israel was also a light to enlighten the Gentiles. So the Light which shone in Bethlehem and was reflected by the star in the East called the first of the Gentiles to His mother's humble home in the little Judean town.
The Magi came following that light, that they might see the true Light that has come to enlighten everyone. Epiphany takes Christmas and elevates it to the celebration of God's gracious disclosure of our salvation to us and all people. Epiphany rejoices in the fact that He who was born for us desires to disclose Himself to us. Epiphany says that He who was born for all now reveals that He was born for all. Epiphany tells us what the Christmas story is about: not merely that He was born, but that He was born for all. This makes Epiphany the feast of mission for the church. The Savior of the nations came and the nations now are drawn to Him at His Epiphany.
Christmas celebrates God's giving of His own precious Son to us. Epiphany celebrates the disclosure of that gift through the preaching of the Gospel to the Gentiles. This makes it our Christmas because the birth of Christ would have been useless if God had not made provision for us to know of it. The proclamation of the condescension of God to us in the person of Christ is what saves. God is willing not only to send His Son, but ever after to give Him to us along with His benefits in the proclamation of the divine Word. Christ has come. He has come for us."
Ephesians 3:1-12
"1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is[a] that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in[b] God who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him."
(ESV)
Leo the Great:
"After celebrating recently the day on which immaculate virginity brought forth the Savior of mankind, the venerable feast of the Epiphany, gives us continuance of joy, that in the midst of neighboring and kindred mysteries the force of our exultation and the fervor of our faith may not grow cool. For it concerns the salvation of all, that the infancy of the Mediator between God and men was already manifested to the whole world, while He was still detained in the tiny town. For although He had chosen the nation of Israel, and one family out of that nation, from whom to assume the nature of all mankind, yet He was unwilling that the early days of His birth should be concealed within the narrow limits of His mother's home. He desired to be soon recognized by all, seeing that He deigned to be born for all.
"To three wise men, therefore, appeared a star of new splendor in the region of the East, which, being brighter and fairer than the other stars, might easily attract the eyes and minds of those that looked on it, so that at once it might be observed not to be meaningless because it had such an unusual appearance. He therefore who gave the sign, gave to the beholders understanding of it, and caused inquiry to be made about that, of which He had thus caused understanding, and after inquiry was made, offered Himself to be found."
Leo, the Great, sermon on he feast of nativity
Prayer:
O God, by the leading of a star You made known Your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles. Lead us, who know You by faith, to enjoy in heaven the fullness of Your divine presence; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Rev. Dr Scott Murray (Memorial Moment 6.1.2012/Christmas not over)
http://www.lutheracademy.com/about-us/officers2/rev-dr-scott-murray.html
Thanks!
Photo: Kerstin Lindén (Church of Jakobstad) Menoran.
Rom. 8:1-2, 9:1-5, 11:1-6, 11:11-14, 11:16-18, Luk. 2:32 (added by me)
"A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." ♥. Luk. 2:32
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