Marking Time: Forming Spirituality through the Christian Year

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Mark i ng T ime : Formi ng Sp i r i tua l i t y through the Chr i s t i an Year

C. Epiphany : the Son of Man

1. Biblical framework : As the promised King and divine Son of Man, Jesus reveals the Father’s glory and salvation to the world.

2. Exemplar Scripture references

a. A Star out of Jacob, Num. 24.17 (ESV) – I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth. b. The King of the Jews, Matt. 2.2-6 (ESV) – saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” [3] When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; [4] and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. [5] They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: [6] ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” c. The Sunrise shall visit us, Luke 1.78-79 (ESV) – because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high [79] to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

3. Its meaning in Jesus’ history : As the Word that declares the Father’s glory to the world, the divine Son of Man, Jesus, appears to the magi, and to the world.