Matthew 2:1-2:
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.
Matthew 2:9-12:
When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Epiphany also called Theophany: the Three Kings Day (Three Wise Men’s or Magi’s Day). It is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ. In Christianity it is celebrated on January 6, 2018.
God revealed the birth of Jesus Christ to Jewish shepherds in the fields nearby (Luke 2:8-20), and to wise men or magi in a different country east of Judea (Matthew 2:1-12).
The significance of these revelations is that Jesus Christ is for all mankind Jews and Gentile. That Christianity is universal. God appeared in flesh to teach us of His kingdom, and the essence of His creation. Christ was born and sacrificed or died on the cross for our sins, so we may believe in Him and have eternal life. Being Christian is accepting and honoring all people and developing God’s creation, which is the universe.
Being human we tend to compete with each other, and look at ourselves as being of different nationalities, races, or from different continents. The revelation of Jesus Christ to Jews and Gentiles teaches us that our Savior wants us to treat each other equally and to unite. We are at our best united. We develop at a much faster rate and bring Peace and Joy to our world. We are to celebrate our diversity and inclusion instead division.
May the Lord guide us to develop His creation and live joyfully in unity and peace!
Gabriel Ofori-Okai is a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, where he is currently a Trustee and previously served on Session as a Ruling Elder. He was born and raised in Ghana and later earned a PhD in Chemistry in Germany. As an active member of Westminster’s African Mission Committee, Gabriel has faithfully served as Chair of the annual African Family Night event. Gabriel is married to Mary Sabina and his son, Benjamin, holds a Postdoctoral position at Stanford University.
