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| Cyprian Byzantine |
1st Epiphany
Matthew 2: 1-12
When
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea—during the time of King Herod—behold: wise
priest-kings from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
“Where is the one born here King of the Jews? We
have seen his star rise in the east and have come to worship him.”
When King Herod heard this, he was deeply
disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. And he assembled all the high priests
and scribes of the people and inquired of them in what place the Christ was to
be born.
And they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for
thus it was written by the prophet:
And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are by no means the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come forth the ruler
Who will be shepherd over my people, the true Israel.”
Then Herod, secretly calling the Magi together
again, inquired from them the exact time when the star had appeared. He
directed them to Bethlehem and said, “Go there and search carefully for the
child, and when you find him, report to me, that I too may go and bow down
before him.”
After they had heard the King, they went on their
way, and behold, the star that they had seen rising went before them, and led
them in its course over the cities until it stood over the place where the
child was.
Seeing the star, they were filled with [there
awakened in them] an exceedingly great and holy joy.
Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary
his mother; they fell down before him and worshipped him. Then they opened
their treasures and offered him their gifts: gold and frankincense and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to
Herod, they departed to their country by another way.
1st
Epiphany
January
6, 7, 2007
Matthew
2: 1-12
What
gift can we bring to someone who has everything? He is the long awaited King,
whose arrival is announced in the script of the stars. The shepherds had
brought the joy and enthusiasm of their hearts. They carried the angels’
message of glory and peace to the child’s parents. In the Shepherd’s Play[1]
they bring, along with their enthusiasm
and devotion, milk and wool, the natural products of their work.
The
three Kings too are sent as messengers. But it is Herod who wants tidings of
the new king’s whereabouts, so that he can kill him. Fortunately, the Magi are
open to higher guidance. They meet the child and his mother and great joy
awakens in them. It is the joy of recognition one might feel for a revered
mentor, a joy of humble gratitude. To the One who has everything, and yet
nothing, they too bring the fruits of their labor and the gifts of their hearts
– the gold of wisdom gained, the frankincense of their heart’s devoted
offering, the myrrh of healing. Their gifts may be more sophisticated than
those of the shepherds. But they too are heart’s offerings infused with the
warmth of joy. 
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