|  | An “epiphany” is an appearance. |
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| | rising stars, splendorous lights and mysteries revealed, the face of the child born on Christmas day appears. |
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| | combining two strands of Old Testament promise - one revealing the Messiah to be from the line of David (see 2 Samuel 2:5), the other predicting “a ruler of Israel” who will “shepherd his flock” and whose “greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth” |
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| | The psalm celebrates David’s son, Solomon. His kingdom, we sing, will stretch “to the ends of the earth,” and the world’s kings will pay Him homage. |
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| | nations stream from the East, bearing “gold and frankincense” for Israel’s king. |
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| | Magi, probably Persian astrologers, are following the star that Balaam predicted would rise along with the ruler’s staff over the house of Jacob |
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| | their journey evokes those made to Solomon by the Queen of Sheba and the “kings of the earth” |
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| | One greater than Solomon is here |
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| | He has come to reveal that all peoples are “co-heirs” of the royal family of Israel |
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| | Will we follow the signs that lead to Him as the wise Magi did? Or will we be like those priests and the scribes who let God’s words of promise become dead letters on an ancient page? |
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