The word Epiphany means the manifestation of divine power.

Epiphany celebrates the day the Wise men arrive to worship Jesus

^{Matthew 2:9} When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

¹⁰ When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

¹¹ And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

The Baptism of the Lord

^{Luke 3;21} Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

²² And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon…

Time for the tree to be cleared of all its treasures.

The red symbolic of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden; the white the salvation of Christ.

Take the star off of the top. Tomorrow we celebrate the wise men reaching the baby.  They followed a star.

Place the Angels back in a secure spot.  And think about the Angel’s Hymn

Put the stockings in a box.  But never forget the example of St Nicholas and his concern for the well being of others.  And if you have a plate for cookies think about St Lucia and the traditions associated with this woman’s saint day.

Place the nativity scene in its container wrapping each piece in tissue.  The shepherds who were in the fields watching over the lambs that would become the passover sacrifice.  These shepherds who were the ones to hear the Angels announce the Messiah…

What are they which are but twelve?
Twelve are attending on God’s son;
Twelve make our creed. The Dial’s done:

^{Luke 23:52} This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.

⁵³ And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.

⁵⁴ And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

⁵⁵ And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.

⁵⁶ And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

Strange verses to list in regard to the Christmas gifts. Probably so, but Myrrh was a common spice used in preparing for a body for burial.  The last gift symbolized Jesus purpose in being born.  He would be the Lamb of God sacrificed for the Sins of Man.  Jesus was born to die.

The Myrrh cost…

This is my favorite of the gifts.  They presented Him with a gift suitable for a High Priest.

Hebrews 4:

¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

¹⁵ For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

The sages brought Frankincense to the infant.  Priests utilize this the incense when burning a sacrifice.  The sweet odor rose to God in heaven.

Exodus 30:

⁶ And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.

⁷ And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the…

matthew 2:¹¹ And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

Gold symbolizes power.  Gold represents the perfect gift for a king.  And the sages made clear the star was the star of a mighty king.  Jesus, a descendent of King David, will one day take His earthly throne in Israel.  We read the end of the book and we know Jesus is the King of Kings.

Revelation 19:

¹¹ And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

¹² His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he…

Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

The circumcision of male children on the eighth day went back to Abraham.  The ceremonial procedure acts as a symbol of the convenient between God and the descendants of Abraham.

Today is the eighth day of Christmas and the anniversary of when Jesus was circumcised. In this ceremony, He received his name.  On this day, the baby was given His name Jehovah’s Salvation or as we know it–Jesus.

There are Christians today who circumcise their sons and there is nothing wrong with that.  But from the time of Christ’s death and the start of the new covenant, we are no longer required to circumcise the flesh.  We are called to circumcise the heart.  This concept is actually…