The Epiphany of the Lord: God Made Human Manifests God's Presence

As part of the celebration of the Epiphany of Jesus Christ today, I want to encourage you to hear this beautiful carol sung by Julie Andrews. She sings the beautiful Carol: "In the Bleak Midwinter" with the last stanza's magnificent words: "What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man, I would do my part; yet what can I give him, give my heart."

Epiphany celebrates God's light, manifestation or revelation, to the whole world — especially known through Christ's healing divisions of nationalism, prejudice and bigotry.

This terrific definition offered along with the commentary for the readings for today comes from the Human Rights Campaign's Out in Scripture. On this celebration of the Epiphany we remember that when God came to us in the Incarnation, God has made present to all and for all. The far reaching embrace of God in Jesus Christ is not limited to just those in his immediate country, religion or community, but for everyone.

The commentary from the Human Rights Campaign offers these thoughts on the Scriptures offered for the Epiphany.

Isaiah 60:1-6 is from the prophet often identified as Second Isaiah, during the time when the Hebrew people were scattered in exile. They longed to return to Mount Zion, their holy mountain at Jerusalem. This is a passage of hope and restoration, and is almost certainly the source for the visit of the Magi in today's reading from Matthew 2:1-12. Modern depictions of the event and the carol "We Three Kings of Orient Are," also take basic elements from this passage from Isaiah.

The passage is one of light and sight. The glory of God (the Hebrew kabhodh), found in verse 1, appears extensively in Isaiah and elsewhere in Hebrew Scripture. It is a central word for divine self-revelation or epiphany. Within Christian tradition, the festival of Epiphany and the liturgical season that follows express this fundamental theme. It refers to the light of God revealed to the whole world, as described in Isaiah, but, in our particular tradition, it also suggests God revealed in Jesus Christ, our Light.

The image of light breaking forth from the shadows appears also in Isaiah 9:2 and 42:16. In Isaiah's prophetic vision, Zion rises again and will be a light to the nations. Those in exile will return. Even those from Arabia will be drawn to this new light — they will bring great riches and praise God. Indeed the restored people will shine with God's renewed favor.

Some scholars and several books have described LGBT people as a people in exile. A community of God's people scattered. Yet even in exile, we are called to shine and to offer our gifts for God's realm of justice and love. At the same time, we work for and seek places of acceptance and just relationships that shine with God's glory.

In Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 we discover Hebrew understandings of a faithful ruler — a prayer for God's blessings upon such a ruler. Probably written to celebrate a king's coronation or birthday, the psalm emphasizes the prophetic image of a just and effective monarch who receives honor and tribute from many nations. The psalmist incorporates the theme of social justice from the great prophets of Israel. The psalmist prays that the ruler receives the gifts of justice (verse 1), righteousness (verse 2), fairness to and defense for those who are poor (verses 2, 3, 4), deliverance of those needy (verse 4) and strength over those who oppress the needy (verse 4).

In Hebrew tradition, the passage points to the character of holy leadership especially in the tradition of King David. Many Christians understand this holy leadership as embodied in Jesus. Both traditions celebrate God's concern through anointing leadership that is faithful, just and compassionate.

Ephesians 3:1-12 is a curious letter to many scholars. In particular, many question the authorship of this letter. Some point to Paul, late in his career. Others suggest that it was written later by one who would have known Paul's thoughts and writings well.

The letter is significant especially at the festival of Epiphany, the season of Light. Like the earlier passage from Isaiah, this passage expresses how God opens and brings light to all people. The author suggests that Paul was imprisoned particularly "for the sake of the Gentiles" (verse 1), those who were other than Jews. The author speaks of the "mystery of Christ" once unknown to the Gentiles, but now they "have become fellow heirs, members of the same body and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel" (Ephesians 3:5, 6).

The emphasis for this passage is on the radical act of inclusion intended in Christ, reflecting a light similar to that found in Isaiah. God's light draws all in. For the church, for the LGBT people of faith, we will not settle for a faith that does not shine — on us, on those who suffer, on all God's children.

The author of Matthew 2:1-12 drew upon Hebrew Scripture to tell the story of Jesus. In the passage for today, we see evidence of the imagery from Isaiah and other Hebrew Scriptures as Micah 5:2. The author positions this story of the visit by the Magi to Jesus to both present Jesus in the Jewish line of King David and also Jesus as one who opens salvation to all nations and people.

"Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?"(verse 2). The question is asked by non-Jewish astrologers, Magi, from ancient Persia of King Herod in Jerusalem. They tell Herod they have seen the star, the light, and want to pay homage to the newborn king. Herod became concerned, perhaps worried that the future reign of his own children was threatened. He sends the Magi on to Bethlehem to search for the child, hoping they would return with news. Only later we discover Herod's interest would be to destroy the child (verses 16 -18). The Magi, however, return "by another road" (verse 12).

Overwhelmed with joy, the Magi find Mary and Jesus where "the star had stopped" (verse 10). They kneel and offer the finest of gifts. Strangers from far away are drawn to the light of Christ. Jesus was not just for Bethlehem, not just for Jerusalem, but for the world. The child of peace, Jesus, was born in the midst of political and religious hostility and violence.

The hostility and violence continues in our world. Many LGBT people know firsthand the threats, injustice and cruelty. Yet, in spite of the danger, many LGBT people have taken the journey to the light of faith. They shine with their gifts.

As LGBT people, how do we allow the gifts that God has given us to shine forth? How do LGBT Christians manifest the presence of God through our relationships, our friendships, our activism and our process of healing from familial, societal and religious homophobia?

Today, we will be given many opportunities to show the presence of God, how God is manifested through us? Our sexual orientations and/or gender expressions/identities are gifts from God, through which we can manifest the presence and power of God with. What makes God manifested through who we are and our love for other people is how we use the gifts we have. Making those choices are difficult choices. It may mean giving up how we have done things in the past. The birth and manifestation of God incarnate in Jesus Christ to all the earth is an event that changes how things use to be. Can we leave the Manger with the wise men with a change of attitude about ourselves, our relationships and our faith? Can we see that while we bring our gifts to be used by God, that God has treasured us by becoming one of us? God desires to share God's Self in Jesus with everyone, including us, including that someone who is hurting and in need of a friend. Are we willing to allow God to manifest God's Self through us?

As we prepare to move through the Season of Epiphany, we will see God calling all of us, healing us and teaching us about how to manifest the presence of God. We will be challenged to be renewed in our understandings, personal devotion and encouraged to participate in making the world a place where prejudice and second class citizenship are no longer accepted or tolerated. People who are on the fringes of society will be welcomed to be part of the kingdom of God and the earthly community. Will we walk as disciples of Jesus and learn from Jesus who's yoke is easy and burden is light (Mt.11;30), or will we be like Herod and the Pharisees only concerned about our knowledge of the law and control for power? All of us will be faced with certain realities about ourselves, and be given the grace to change and be part of a society of change. We will face people who will not like our gifts and will even tell us they are sinful and unwanted. Does that mean we should not even try to share the gifts we have? Are we up to the challenge to make God's presence manifested in a world that rejects the true love of God? Be sure your answer is yes, and be open in heart, mind and soul to all the wonderful things God is going to do in and through you.

O God, by the leading of the a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for Epiphany, Book of Common Prayer, Page 214).