Matthew’s Gospel gives special emphasis to Jesus as the one who fulfills the promises made to the People of Israel.  This reality can be demonstrated in a number of different ways as we attend to Matthew’s use of the Old Testament, his focus on the celebrations of Judaism, his emphasis of Jesus as “rabbi,” and other ways.  Yet, the evangelist also identified the message of Jesus as a universal one for all people.  This theme receives special treatment in the Gospel passage that we will hear on the Sunday of the Epiphany.

The story is the familiar Christmas tale of the Magi.  Various traditions have numbered these Magi at three, given them names, and made them kings.  Many prefer to think of them solely as wise men or astronomers/astrologers who, in their study of the heavens, have seen a star suggesting a momentous event.  This star brings them to Jerusalem and Herod, to the Scriptural revelation made to the People of Israel, and ultimately to Jesus.  An important element about these Magi, however, is that they are from the East.  They are gentiles who come to give reverence and appropriate gifts to the newborn king.  Along with the gold and frankincense, which we heard about in the Isaiah reading, they also bring myrrh, and “they prostrated themselves [before Jesus] and did him homage.”  Not only Israel, but the whole world needs to recognize and adore the child of Mary.

The Jewish People are the “Chosen People.”  Throughout their history, however, the people of Israel have recognized that the blessings conferred upon them were not just for themselves alone but were meant to be a blessing shared with all people through them.  Isaiah makes that emphasis in the first reading of this coming Sunday.

The solemnity of the Epiphany celebrates that same point, but in the light of the mystery of Christ:  the revelation of Christ is a blessing, not only for the Christian community, but for the whole world.   Born into a Jewish family in first century Israel, Jesus reveals himself as Savior of all people for all time. All found a welcome around his crib at his birth; all need to find a welcome around his table today.  Our churches must be places where people of every description gather as equals to reverence God’s presence among us as manifested in word and sacrament and community.  In Christ all are one.

This revelation must be imparted to our society.  We do not seek arguments to be won nor positions to be staunchly defended, but a witness to be given and a conversation to be encouraged.  As the magi make their way to the crib, we welcome them with brotherly and sisterly affection; we accept the gifts that they bring, and we share our blessings of faith.  On the celebration of the Epiphany, we open our eyes to the ways in which the Lord continues to manifest himself to us, and we accept the way in which we need to share this revelation with one another.  That is the true meaning of Epiphany. The child Jesus is a gift for our whole world.