Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem — (Matthew 2:1).
Today is the day Christians celebrate the Epiphany, when wise men from the east bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, came to find and worship the child Jesus. It is the twelfth day of the song, The Twelve Days of Christmas. Christmas Day, December 25, is the first day. If you have not read the possible meanings of that song, you might enjoy looking them up.
In Ireland, this day is “Little Christmas” (Nollaig Bheag). It is also known as women’s Christmas. Women, if you’d like to read about this, let me tell you, the traditions sound pretty good to me. Do you remember the song, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas?
Many people keep up their Christmas trees and decorations until January 5 and have a ceremony to take them down. Some Christian churches hold services on the eve of Epiphany.
Do you use or hear the term “had an epiphany“? The word itself has come to mean a moment of realization, as when the Wise Men found the Christ Child, realized their long journey had ended, and presented Him with their gifts.
Perhaps it is because only three gifts are mentioned in Scripture that we assume three wise men arrived on three camels but I’m wondering if more than three kings or magi came to Jesus? Could there have been a whole caravan of camels and more than three of the visitors from the East?
Have you ever thought it odd that Herod, who lived in Jerusalem, only six miles from Bethlehem, did not know about the King the Wise Men sought? Think about that a moment. The visitors had been watching the night skies. They knew a lot more prophecy and biblical truth than did King Herod. Their mission was to find and worship the King of the Jews.
Herod, of course, was worried. Was his throne threatened? Was he about to lose kingly power over the people? He reacted in a typically Herodian way: with evil. He had all the boy babies two years old and under killed, in a murderous effort to do away with any threat to his rule. I’ve wondered, as King Herod died a pretty gruesome death, if he associated his pain and suffering with divine retribution.
The Epiphany, January 6, is an important date in Christian worship. 
It begins the time of studying Scripture that points to who Jesus is. Today, let’s celebrate our Christian faith and the birth of Jesus. As we wrap up the Christmas season, I hope we take the realization of God’s gift, Jesus, with us through the remainder of the year.
I find it interesting that there could have been many more wise men or astrologers too. The Bible doesn’t really say. Actually, I would think even servants, etc. must have traveled with them. We usually always think in our modern terms for time too – if Herod had all the boys 2 and under put to death, Jesus might not have been a baby in a manger when they arrived. No cars back then for fast travel!!
Interesting thoughts, Sharon. No, I think Jesus was not a baby but was a little boy of about two years old when the Wise Men finished their journey. They came from a long way off. The Bible doesn’t mention them with the shepherds on the night of His birth. And Scripture said they found the young child, so I think the depiction of the magi with the shepherds is probably wrong but that’s the way lots of Christmas cards have it.
That’s what I think too. Interesting too is the fact that the wise men were first directed by a star to Herod. Obviously, God would not have sent them to someone who planned to have the child put to death! Sometimes people see cards, tradition, etc. but really all it takes is carefully reading the account in the Bible! I usually share your blog with my husband and the one both of us appreciated the most was the one about sifting the flour.
Thanks so much, Sharon. I really appreciate your comments and your support. Although I’ve never met you in person, I definitely consider you to be a good friend. Enjoy your time in your warm location! We have a chance for wintry mix today and more of a chance tomorrow.