Ryan's Ramblings

An Epiphany on Epiphany

There were three things prefigured and promised by the gifts in the cave in Bethlehem concerning the Child who received them: that He would be crowned like a King; that He should be worshipped like a God; and that He should die like a man. And these things would sound like Eastern flattery, were it not for the third.

                            — G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936)

Thanks to G.K. Chesterton, I had an epiphany on Epiphany.

In the Christian tradition, Epiphany is a feast on January 6th that celebrates the Magi's (the three wise men) visit to the child Jesus, revealing Him as the Messiah to the world.

The “third” gift that the wise men brought, the myrrh, is the kicker.

The gold symbolized Christ's kingship, recognizing His authority over all, reminding us to honor Him as the King who lovingly reigns over our lives with justice and mercy. The frankincense, which was used in worship, in candles and incense, signifies Jesus' divinity, reminding us that He is Emmanuel, God with us, the only one deserving of our worship and adoration.

And then there is the myrrh.

Myrrh was commonly used in ancient times for embalming and burial preparations. Its inclusion as a gift for Jesus is startling. Myrrh points to Jesus’ sacrifice, showing that the Child came to die—so I could truly live. His suffering and death bridged the gap between me and God.

Without myrrh, the gifts of the Magi seem nice and flattering, but with it, they explode with meaning (an epiphany):

Jesus, my King and my God, came to die for me!