"Epiphany" is a Greek word meaning "appearance" or "manifestation," celebrating Christ's "manifestation" to the world, as foretold in Isaiah 49:6:
"I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth."
Epiphany commemorates the Wise Men who visited the infant Jesus.
Though the Bible does not give the number three, since there were three gifts, namely, gold, frankincense, and myrrh, it was assumed there were three wise men.
As a result, this came to be called Three Kings Day.
An Epiphany tradition is “chalking the doors” with something like 20 + C + M + 25. The first two digits of the year + C + M + B + the last two digits of the year.
“C”, “M”, and “B” stand for the names of the three wise men, Caspar, Malchior and Balthazar, and the “+” represents the cross.
It also represents the Latin phrase, Christus Mansionem Benedicat, meaning “May Christ bless the house.”
Bible commentators describe the wise men coming from Persia - Babylonia, where centuries earlier Daniel had been a key leader, known for studying the fulfillment of prophecies.
The Gospel of Matthew, chapter 2, recorded:
"Wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.'"
What was the star?
Some speculate it could have been like what occurred in 2020, when Epiphany was near the Great Conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Saturn, the closest these two planets had been in 800 years, creating a combined bright light that was unmistakably visible in the night sky.
Astronomer Johannes Kepler speculated this in 1614:
"This star is not of the ordinary run of comets or new stars ...
The Magi were of Chaldea, where was born astrology, of which this is a dictum: Great conjunctions of planets in cardinal points ... signify a universal change of affairs ...
Granted, then, that the new star of the Magi was first seen not only at the same time as Saturn and Jupiter were beheld each in the other's vicinity, namely June of B.C. 7, but also in the same part of the sky as the planets ...
What else could the Chaldeans conclude from their ... rules of their art, but that some event of the greatest moment was imminent? ...
Nor do I doubt but that God would have condescended to cater to the credulity of the Chaldeans." Kepleri opera omnia, (IV p. 347.)
BethlehemStar.com explains that Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion made it possible to determine the position of planets and stars in the past.
In September 3 B.C., at the time of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, magi in the East would have observed Jupiter, the Planet of Kings, coming into conjunction with Regulus, the Star of Kings.
Observing the sky from the Earth's elliptical orbit around the Sun, Jupiter then reversed its course to go around Regulus in a retrograde motion.
This happened not once, not twice, but three times in the next several months, all occurring within the constellation of Leo - the Lion, which is at the feet of the next rising constellation of Virgo - the Virgin.
Then, June 2 B.C., Jupiter came into conjunction with Venus - the Mother Planet, and the combine light would have appeared as one star, brighter than anyone had ever seen before.
By December 2 B.C., the magi, looking south from Jerusalem, would have seen Jupiter hanging over Bethlehem.
Jupiter was considered the King Planet as its mass is two and a half times greater than all the other planets in the Solar System combined. Ancients associated it with the Supreme God.
Saturn has darker associations, leading some to speculate that the conjunction of Jupiter's orbit overtaking Saturn's orbit is symbolic of the kingdom of darkness being revealed, but then being defeated by the appearance of the Kingdom of God.
Faithful scholars still debate whether the star was a rare astronomical occurrence or a supernatural light, but the important point is that it occurred.
Unusual celestial events stir anticipation of what many consider the prophesied end times and the final "week " of Daniel's prophecy.
Daniel had set himself to pray that Jeremiah's prophecy of Jews returning to Jerusalem after seventy years in captivity would be fulfilled, as recorded in Daniel 9:2:
"In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans ... I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years ... And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer "
This was fulfilled when after seventy years in captivity, Cyrus of Persia gave the decree allowing Jews to return to Jerusalem, c. 539 B.C.
Daniel then gave a detailed "seventy weeks" prophecy regarding the coming of the Messiah. In fact, it is the only place in the Old Testament where the name "Messiah" is used, Daniel 9:20-27:
"Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy.
Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times. And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself."
The website GotQuestions.org gives an explanation:
“The 'seventy weeks' prophecy is one of the most significant and detailed Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament ...
A period of seven times seventy weeks yet to come ... Seventy seven-year periods are 490 years.
The prophecy specifies that 'from the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until the Messiah, the Prince, there will be seven weeks - 49 years, and sixty-two weeks - 434 years …
Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off …
Nebuchadnezzar had Jerusalem dismantled around 587 B.C. … At the time this prophecy was given, Jerusalem still lay in ruins.
According to the prophecy, from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem there would be seven seven-year periods and sixty-two more seven-year periods—or 483 years—until the Messiah would show up.
After the culmination of the 62 seven-year periods, or after 483rd year, the Messiah would be cut off ...
Persian emperor Artaxerxes Longimanus ... issued the edict to rebuild Jerusalem sometime during the Hebrew month of Nisan in the 20th year of his reign, or c. 444 B.C. - Nehemiah 2:1-8 ...
Ancient Babylonians ... used a 360-day year. So, 483 years x 360 days = 173,880 days ... From c. 444 B.C., 173,880 days brings us to c. A.D. 33.
According to this prophecy, the Messiah would show up, present Himself as Messiah to the nation and then be “cut off” some time near A.D. 33."
This was fulfilled as Jesus Christ presented Himself to the nation of Israel on Palm Sunday, as Malachi 3:1 foretold:
"And the Lord, whom you seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in. Behold, He shall come.”
The Messiah was "cut off" with the cruxifixction.
GotQuestions.org continued explaining that after Christ's cruxifixction, the Roman Emperor would destroy Jerusalem:
"The prophecy then goes on to say that, subsequent to the Messiah’s death, 'the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary' (NASB 1995).
Within one generation of Christ’s crucifixion, the Romans, under the command of Titus Flavius Vespasianus, razed Jerusalem and destroyed the temple.
There is some debate about the exact date of the decree that began the 483 years ... (and) whether the days should be counted on our modern 365-day calendars or the 360-day lunar calendar.
Regardless, Daniel’s prophecy lays out an amazingly accurate timeline ... the very day of Christ’s death—over 600 years before it occurred."
Though there are admittedly many interpretations of the end times,
GotQuestions.org concludes:
"Of the 70 'sevens,' 69 have been fulfilled in history. This leaves one more 'seven' yet to be fulfilled.
Many scholars believe that we are now living in a huge gap between the 69th week and the 70th week. The prophetic clock has been paused, as it were.
The final 'seven' of Daniel is what we usually call the tribulation period.
Daniel’s prophecy reveals some of the actions of the Antichrist, the 'ruler who will come.' Verse 27 says, 'He will confirm a covenant with many for one "seven."’ However, 'in the middle of the "seven" ... he will set up an abomination that causes desolation' in the temple.
Jesus warned of this event in Matthew 24:15. After the Antichrist breaks the covenant with Israel, a time of 'great tribulation' begins (Matthew 24:21, NKJV).
Daniel also predicts that the Antichrist will face judgment. He only rules 'until the end that is decreed is poured out on him' (Daniel 9:27).
God will only allow evil to go so far, and the judgment the Antichrist will face has already been planned out. "
Epiphany also commemorates Jesus being revealed to the world as the anointed Messiah at his baptism in the Jordan River, as recorded in John 1:29-34:
"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world ... that he should be made manifest to Israel ...
And John bare record, saying ... He that sent me ... said ... Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God."
John 1:41 "He first found his own brother Simon and said unto him, 'We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, 'the Christ.'"
John 4:25 "The woman said unto Him, 'I know that Messiah cometh, who is called Christ. When He has come, He will tell us all things.' Jesus said unto her, 'I that speak unto thee am He.'”
Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th, which in Eastern Europe was considered the holiest day of the season, whereas Western Europe celebrated Christmas Day.
As Eastern and Western Europe could not agree on which day was the holiest, it was decided at the Council of Tours in 567 A.D., to make all 12 days from Christmas, DECEMBER 25, to Epiphany, JANUARY 6, "The Twelve Days of Christmas."
The days were called "holy days," which later came to be pronounced "holidays."
There is an interesting piece of musical tradition associated with the Twelve Days of Christmas.
England's Henry the Eighth made the Anglican Church the country's established denomination in 1534.
As in other nations, the government proceeded to impose state-approved beliefs, demanding uniformity of doctrine and services, thus restricting the freedoms of conscience, speech, and expression.
During this time, Christian dissenters, nonconformists, separatists, such as Puritans, Presbyterians, Quakers, Anabaptists, and Catholics, fled from England to other European countries, or to the colonies in America.
Jews were expelled from England in 1290 by Edward the First and not allowed back in till Oliver Cromwell in 1657.
Dissenters who remained in England practiced their faith in secret, sometimes suffering the intolerance judges in court, open government persecution, and even martyrdom.
In 1625, a type of Sunday school catechism song came into use to teach children Christian doctrine, titled "In Those Twelve Days," where a spiritual meaning was assigned to each day.
IN THOSE TWELVE DAYS, 1625
Chorus:
In those twelve days, and
in those twelve days,
let us be glad,
For God of his power hath all things made.
1. What is that which is but one?
What is that which is but one?
We have but one God alone
In Heaven above sits on his throne. Chorus
2. What are they which are but two?
What are they which are but two?
Two Testaments, as we are told,
The one is New and the other Old. Chorus
3. What are they that are but three?
What are they that are but three?
Three persons in the Trinity,
The Father, Son, and Ghost Holy. Chorus
4. What are they that are but four?
What are they that are but four?
Four Gospels written true,
John, Luke, Mark, and Matthew. Chorus
5. What are they that are but five?
What are they that are but five?
Five senses we have to tell,
God grant us grace to use them well. Chorus
6. What are they that are but six?
What are they that are but six?
Six ages this world shall last,
Five of them are gone and past. Chorus
7. What are they that are but seven?
What are they that are but seven?
Seven days in the week have we,
Six to work and the seventh holy. Chorus
8. What are they that are but eight?
What are they that are but eight?
Eight beatitudes are given,
Use them well and go to Heaven. Chorus
9. What are they that are but nine?
What are they that are but nine?
Nine degrees of Angels high
Which praise God continually. Chorus
10. What are they that are but ten?
What are they that are but ten?
Ten Commandments God hath given,
Keep them right and go to Heaven. Chorus
11. What are they that are but eleven?
What are they that are but eleven?
Eleven thousand virgins did partake
And suffered death for Jesus' sake. Chorus
12. What are they that are but twelve?
What are they that are but twelve?
Twelve Apostles Christ did chuse
To preach the Gospel to the Jews. Chorus
Though it cannot be verified, there is speculation that song, "In Those Twelve Days," was inspiration for the English folk song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas," first printed in London in 1780, in the children's book, Mirth without Mischief.
Some researchers propose the symbolism in the song as:
My True Love = God Himself
1. Partridge = Jesus Christ - A partridge will feign injury to decoy predators from helpless nestlings - "He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities." Isaiah 53:5.
Pear Tree = Cross
2. Turtle Doves = Old & New Testaments
3. French Hens = Faith, Hope and Love
4. Calling Birds = Four Gospels
5. Golden Rings = Pentateuch-First 5 Books of Bible
6. Geese A-Laying = Six Days of Creation
7. Swans a-Swimming = Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
8, Maids A-Milking = Eight Beatitudes
9. Ladies Dancing = Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10. Lords A-Leaping = Ten Commandments
11. Pipers Piping = Eleven Faithful Apostles
12. Drummers = Twelve Points in Apostles Creed
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