Reflection for January 6 (Epiphany)

It is helpful to be reminded that for many of the world’s Christians, Epiphany is the main event—and that in liturgy, song, food, and gift-giving, Christians mark the arrival in Bethlehem of the Magi.... The late William Placher warned against trivializing and sentimentalizing the Magi. Their part of the larger story is significant. [The] observation that the Magi are probably non-Jews is part of that significance.... The possibility that the Magi were gentiles, and perhaps Arabs, tells us that even here, at the very beginning of the story, Jesus is shattering religious tradition by bringing outsiders inside. Before the story is over, Jesus will shatter boundaries of race, class and gender. And the marginalized—the poor, prostitutes, lepers and Roman centurions—will all be welcome at his table (John M. Buchanan, “Outsiders bearing gifts,” Editor’s desk, Christian Century, December 26, 2012).