Epiphany has always been a bit ‘Marmite’ for me. It’s my birthday and my childhood memory was that I had fewer presents as a result of it being so near to Christmas although my mother always denied it, saying that relatives went out of their way to make it extra special when I was young.
In contrast, the story of the Magi always felt like it was special for my birthday although that may just have been me being obsessed with gifts. Their setting out on a journey, guided by a star, and looking for a king they didn’t know that they would be able to recognise was intriguing. They came from distant lands and brought mysterious gifts. I was familiar with gold from my mother’s wedding ring and knew about frankincense from my childhood church but what was myrrh and why these specific gifts for an unknown king.
As I grew older and came to faith, the meaning of each gift came clearer and the motivation for giving came clearer still, as an expression of our love.
As we come today to bring our Advent Envelopes to the crib, as to the Infant Christ, we are reminded of those words from ‘In the bleak midwinter’ by Christina Rosetti. ‘What I can, I give Him. Give my heart.’
Jeff Claxton
