For many Christians around the world, the Christmas season does not end on December 25. The traditional “12 days of Christmas” extends after Christmas to a holiday known as Epiphany. While Eastern and Western traditions differ on the dates and observation of Christmas and Epiphany because of different liturgical calendar systems, each tradition encourages reflection on the biblical significance of these holidays or “holy days.”
On Epiphany, Christians remember important epiphanies or revelations made known to us through the events of Scripture. In the Western Church, Christians reflect on the Magi’s visit to see Jesus as a baby and how this reveals that He is the Savior of the Gentiles as well as the Jews.
Furthermore, Eastern Christians consider the truth of the incarnation during Epiphany, which is an essential teaching of the Christian faith.
While some of us might quickly overlook this holiday, pausing to think about these key truths of Scripture can remind us of the wonder when Jesus came into the world to save us.
Differences in Observing the Holiday
Before we examine the reasons that Epiphany is significant, we need to consider the different ways that Christians observe this holiday. Both Eastern and Western traditions observe Epiphany 12 days after Christmas.
The Eastern Church celebrates Epiphany on January 19 in our current calendar system, yet it falls on January 6 in the Julian calendar system. Christians who observe Epiphany on this day remember Christ’s baptism.
The Western Church, though, observes Epiphany on January 6 in the modern Gregorian calendar system. In this tradition, Epiphany is also commonly known as “Three Kings Day” because of the emphasis on the visit of the Magi.
Protestants typically observe Epiphany as a season leading to Ash Wednesday. Different denominations observe this season in various ways. However, for the sake of this article, I am focusing on the day of Epiphany, which occurs 12 days after Christmas.
Remembering the Visit of the Magi and Their Worship of Christ
Epiphany is commonly associated with the Magi. This holiday encourages us to meditate on the significance of their visit to see Christ. Unlike the Jewish scholars who knew of the prophecies about the Messiah’s birth, the Magi sought out the newborn King (Matthew 2:1-2).
In Scripture, we are not given the exact date when the Magi made their way to Bethlehem. Biblical scholars believe that the timeframe of their visit could have extended to when Jesus was two years old, based on Herod’s command to kill all the male children in Bethlehem who were two years or younger (Matthew 2:16-18).
His command was informed by the information from the wise men, which further supports the belief that the Magi could have visited Christ later than is commonly depicted (Matthew 2:16).
Furthermore, the Bible does not tell us how many wise men there were who followed the star and worshiped Christ. Many Christians today picture three wise men or three kings, which is promoted by carols like “We Three Kings” and traditional celebrations.
However, Scripture only says that “wise men from the east came to Jerusalem” (Matthew 2:1, ESV). No specific number of men is given.
What we do know from the Bible is that the Magi traveled to Jerusalem in search of Christ. When they discovered that He was born in Bethlehem and saw the star leading them to where Jesus was staying, they were overjoyed (Matthew 2:5, 9-10).
Upon seeing Christ, they worshiped Him and presented Him with the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11).
Like the other people in the gospel accounts who learned about the good news of the birth of the Savior, the wise men were filled with joy and wonder when they saw Christ.
By reflecting on the Magi’s visit, we are reminded of the proper response to Jesus. We were made to worship Him and bring Him glory (Isaiah 43:7). The Magi, who were not even Israelites, knew this and responded properly to the revelation of Jesus as the Messiah.
Celebrating that Christ Is the Savior of All People
In the Western Church, Christians celebrate God’s revelation to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi’s visit. As I noted earlier, the Magi were not Israelites but were from the “east” (Matthew 2:1). The fact that they worshiped Jesus as the promised Messiah shows that Jesus came to save all people.
Even in the earliest days of Jesus’ coming into the world, we can see that He is the Savior of the world, not just one specific people group. The Magi’s visit demonstrates that Christ came into the world to save both Jews and Gentiles.
Simeon’s prophecy also reflects this truth since he stated that “my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel” (Luke 2:30-32).
In other parts of Scripture, we see this truth repeated. John’s gospel tells us that God so loved “the world” that He sent us His Son to save us, which indicates all people in the world (John 3:16).
When Jesus died on the cross, He paid for the sins of everyone (1 John 2:2). People must place faith in His death and resurrection to receive salvation, but He saves regardless of ethnic identity (Acts 10:34; Romans 1:16).
The fact that Jesus came into the world to save us is a cause for celebration. No longer are we separated from the Lord but are His beloved children (John 1:12-13).
During Epiphany, we can pause and ponder this wonderful truth, praising Jesus for His loving sacrifice and grace. This holiday is significant because it points to Jesus as the Savior of all people (1 John 4:14).
Declaring the Truth of the Incarnation
In addition to reminding us of the Magi’s visit and worship of Christ, as well as how this event shows that Jesus came to save both the Gentiles and Jews, Epiphany also presents the truth of the incarnation.
In the Eastern Church, Christians observe this day in commemoration of Jesus’ baptism, which revealed Jesus’ divinity and shows us the Trinity together.
His baptism did not grant Him divine status since He has always been God the Son, but the act of receiving baptism served as a sign to Israel that Jesus is the divine Messiah.
As John the Baptist testified, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One” (John 1:33-34).
The title “Chosen One” indicates Jesus’ divine status since the phrase can also be rendered as “the Son of God” (John 1:34, ESV). In biblical times, the term “son of” referred to equal status, so the title “Son of God” means being equal to God (John 5:18; 10:30).
The incarnation is essential to the Christian faith. No mere man could save anybody. Only Jesus, fully God and fully man, could bring salvation to all people. He is our amazing God who identified with us by taking on human flesh to save us from our sins (Philippians 2:6-8).
His baptism was another way that He identified with us since He is perfect and did not need the baptism of repentance that John the Baptist practiced (Luke 3:3; Acts 19:4; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
However, Jesus became “fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17).
We can benefit spiritually by taking time to reflect on the profound truth that God the Son became a man to save us.
Hence, Epiphany is an important holiday because it invites us to think about and celebrate Jesus’ identity. We can use this holiday as a reminder to praise and thank Him for the salvation He came to give us.
Why Does This Matter?
Numerous Christians around the world celebrate Epiphany, even though some believers are not as familiar with this holiday.
Epiphany presents us with significant truths to reflect on, including the Magi’s visit to worship Christ, how this event was a revelation to the Gentiles and reminds us of the truth of Jesus’ incarnation.
Even if we do not participate in the Eastern or Western observations of this holiday, we can still take a moment to celebrate these truths and offer our worship to the Lord.
For further reading:
What Is the Meaning of Epiphany?
Who Were the Three Wise Men of the Christmas Story?
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