A rather liberal priest was teasing one of the women of the parish, asking, “How do we know the Wise Men weren’t Wise Women?” She answered, “If they were, they’d have brought bottles, diapers, and a bassinet, instead of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
The gifts, of course, are symbols of who Jesus is: a king who is both God and human. And I wonder what our gifts to the Lord say about our faith in him. Remember the song about the little drummer boy, who had no gift to bring but his ability to play the drum? It can remind us that a person who gives all they have, no matter how little it seems, is the most generous.
So what do we bring to the newborn King? I can give my time by coming to church for the feast of Epiphany and actually paying attention. Just making the effort to listen to the words of scripture, to hear what God may be trying to tell me, could be a great gift. Or I could bring someone in our family, or a friend, who doesn’t go to church very much.
Now let’s not forget the meaning of “epiphany.” In ancient times it meant the appearance or manifestation of a divine being. Maybe a way to celebrate the Epiphany is to reflect on how God has been made known to me. Simple things, like a hug from a friend, an answered prayer, or major events like a wedding, the birth of a child, or a funeral, can all be ways to experience the Lord. The Wise Men received the gift of an epiphany by following a star.
May the light of Christ lead you to him also.
Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications
