A week in is usually a good time to check in on the bold
resolutions made as the clock struck 12 to mark the arrival of 2016. Still in
the zone or have some proved too difficult to stay true to? I can speak personally,
that one particular resolution I made has proven to be a complete and utter
nightmare to keep, even as I type. Experts say 21 days is the magic number to
make or break a habit, so let’s just say I look forward to the 22 January with interest!
At the heart of resolutions, be they in the New Year,
Birthday or any significant milestone, is the idea of manifesting something new
and improved. Whether its rock hard abs or a bank balance that is not in
deficit, conscientious efforts are meant to result in a tangible result being
met. However, one manifestation that even the Christo crew among us might
have missed is Epiphany, the day that both closes the 12 days of Christmas that
commence on Christmas Eve, but more significantly, commemorates the arrival of
the Magi to see the Jesus or as the Ancient Greek Epiphaneia suggests, to manifest or show forth.
The Magi only appear in Matthew’s gospel. I am always
curious when one particular story relating to Jesus is recounted in only one of
the four gospels, and in the case of the Magi becomes so huge that it spawns a whole
host of ‘myths’. From stating that they were kings (they were not) to insisting
they were three of them (the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh might have
numbered three, but the assumption that one each was given is ours and not in
the text) and finally, according to any nativity tableau, that they arrived on
the same night as the shepherds (completely wrong, the shepherds beat them to
it). Why are the Magi so important? The clue is in the statement they make when
presented at King Herod’s court:
“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw
his star in the east and have come to worship him.” Matthew2:2
The foreignness of the Magi is key to the story. It
indicates the fact that Jesus came for everybody, and right from the beginning,
people were aware of it. He might have been born King of the Jews and part of
the Davidic line, but everyone, as the verse indicates can recognize his
kingship and more importantly worship him. The inclusiveness of Jesus is
further emphasized in the fact that his natal star could be seen far and wide.
Like a constellation that can be viewed in the night sky in the southern or
northern hemisphere, Jesus’ presence and impact can be experienced and seen by
all, wherever they are. As God made flesh he came to save the whole of
humanity, even if as a human being, he had to arrive nominally belonging to one
group of people.
So, today, in our present day situations, filled to the brim
with goals that we spend our time and resources working towards; how frequently
do we tap into the power of serving a God who made himself manifest in the
world? Do we put all of our hopes, dreams and intentions under his authority,
an authority that defeated death itself and came that we may have access to his
love and peace and joy? Indeed why should God choose such an inauspicious way
to make himself known to humanity? The clue lies in the fact that he chose to arrive
as a baby. It is very hard not to instinctively love and want to care for a
baby, and scientific studies have shown that as a species we are hardwired to
respond to babies’ tears and smiles. It is the innate love energy that is part
of all of us. God manifest is Love manifest and as St Paul so evocatively wrote
in his letters to the Corinthians, Love is the most excellent way.
If we want this year to be the breakthrough, blessings
filled, goals met extravaganza that it can be for all of us, there is no better
way than to tap into the reality of the Lord we serve. Jesus doesn’t just want
to answer our prayers or assist us in our tasks or cheer us in our efforts. He
wants to imbue every aspect of our lives with his grace. He wants his presence
to be very obvious so that we might be witness to those around us. More
importantly he wants to manifest gloriously and brightly in our lives in every way, and it
doesn’t get more magnificent than that.
