Christmas: The Epiphanyናሙና

Israel yearned to see the arrival of their Messiah - their political liberator who will ascend to the throne of King David. Roman historians Suetonius and Tacitus record this Jewish belief - the arrival of a universal ruler from Judea. But a King must be born into a ruling family. He must be laid in a golden cot, one gleaming with power and glory. The proclamation of his birth must display the power of his father. The status of the visitors of the newborn must profess his fame.

The contrast with Jesus’ birth is glaring. Insignificance permeates His birth. There was no room available for the family. Jesus may have been born on the roadside. He was born to an insignificant couple, at an insignificant spot. He was laid in a frail cot. It is remarkable and humbling to ponder the sign of the Messiah: a baby wrapped tightly in cloth lying in a manger. The shepherds were to look for a child born into meekness, and not worldly pomp, to find their Saviour, their Messiah, their Lord. Oh how so unkingly, undignified, unappealing was His birth.

Yet how heavenly! Mysterious Maggi from the East sought after the King of the Jews. A Celestial Host shone its light to guide the mystic visitors. Angelic Armies delivered The Exaltation of His birth displaying the grandeur and power of His Father. Lowly Shepherds visited the newborn Good Shepherd. What a wondrous union of Heaven and Earth. The Angels longed to see this day. His splendour was not of this Earth. His fame was not limited to this Earth. And the world didn’t recognize Him.

His meekness was integral to His identity. When Philip called upon Nathanael to witness the Messiah, Nathanael asked “Can anything good come out of Nazareth”? Philip replied “Come and see”. Sceptics for decades have vainly attempted to prove Nazareth as an invention of Christianity, only to have been soundly put to shame by archaeological evidence (coins, farm, pottery, house, wine press, watch towers etc.), strong reprimands from non-Christians (Bart Ehrman) and archeologists (Ken Dark, Stephen J Pfann, Yehuda Rapuano etc.). Born into the midst of insignificance, carrying as a suffix to His name an insignificant and frowned upon town, it is no wonder that these allegations remain. Yet He towers over all of history as the greatest phenomenon mankind has ever witnessed. The lowly birth of the exalted Saviour beckons the world to reckon who He is: come and see the King of Kings laid in a manger, our Saviour has come.

Application questions:

• Reflect upon the lived-out humility of Christ.
• Take a moment to introspect your life: Have I said God is unable to do wonders and exalted deeds because my past may be broken, painful, marred by sin and feels insignificant?
• Surrender yourself in prayer, and follow Immanuel wherever He guides, knowing that He is capable to restore, revive and exalt.