Anderson Chapel A

Anderson Chapel A. M. E. Church

1002 Jefferis Avenue

Killeen, Texas 76543

Reverend William M. Campbell, Jr. - Senior Pastor

Worship & The Word

Date: January 6, 2010

Topic: Celebrating the Epiphany

Key Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 2:21-39

Other Scriptures: Matthew 3:13-16; Luke 3:21-22

Points to Consider:

· What is Epiphany? (from Koine Greek _πιφάvεια "appearance", "manifestation") is a Christian feast day which celebrates the revelation of God made Man in the person of Jesus Christ. It falls on the 6th of January or on a Sunday close to that date. The 6th of January in the Julian Calendar, which is followed by some Eastern Churches, corresponds at present to 19th of January in the Gregorian Calendar, which is the official civil calendar in most countries. On this day, Western Christians commemorate principally the visitation of the Biblical Magi to the Baby Jesus, i.e., his manifestation to the Gentiles; Eastern Christians commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, seen as his manifestation to the world as the Son of God. It is also called Theophany, especially by Eastern Christians.

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· In review, let’s look at the Magi tradition to see what that has to say. From the sermon: Just When I Need it Most.

· Background notes on the 3 wise men. The magos - wise men. Isaiah 60 & Psalm 72 - speaks of how kings will come.

Traditional names: Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar.

Ethiopian: Hor, Karsudan, and Basanater.

Thought to be Babylonian, Arabs, or Jews from Yemen.

Find a star which we now call the Star of Bethlehem.

Brought 3 gifts hence three men.

Massacre of the Innocents took place as executed by Herod.

Moses in a basket. Jesus in a manger. Both escape to Egypt.

Recent tradition: European, Asian (Yemen or Oman) or China and African. European brought gold. African & Asian brought incense and myrrh because they were found there.

Epiphany is January 6 - follows the 12 days of Christmas.

Points from the Message:

1. He is a King - they brought him gold.

2. He is a Priest - they brought him frankincense.

3. He is a Savior - they brought him myrrh.

· What conclusions can we draw about the use of the gifts?

· Gold - needed material blessings to get them where they needed to go: Egypt. God’s got some special blessings - financial breakthrough - to get you to the next place in your life.

· Frankincense - perfume. What does perfume do? Hides the scent from where you’ve been. Jesus was born in a manger - a stinky place - the smell of the manger was all over he, Joseph and Mary. God will put holy perfume on your life so people won’t know where you’ve been. You won’t smell like where you’ve come from. Priest role is to make you smell good before God so you can receive mercy and grace.

· Myrrh - anointing/embalming oil for burial and is used as penitential incense at funerals. What did Joseph and Mary do with it? Assuming that Mary did not use it on Joseph, whom died later on, what did Mary do with the myrrh?

· Is it possible that the sisters (Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Salome, Joanna and possible Mary Jesus’ mother) had some of the myrrh when they went to anoint Jesus body in the grave?

· Is it possible that Mary kept that myrrh along with the things that she treasured in her heart?

· In order to be a King you have to be crowned. In order to be a Priest you have to be consecrated. But in order to be a Savior you have to be crucified.