A Selection of Readings on the Lord’s Nativity & Epiphany

Introduction

The Christmas and Epiphany season commemorates the events of the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ: his nativity, circumcision and naming on the 8th day, his presentation in the temple, baptism at the River Jordan, and his first public sign – changing water into wine which “manifested his glory” at the wedding feast at Cana.

In the Orthodox Tradition the Feast of Theophany commemorates the baptism of the Lord Jesus at the River Jordan and the manifestation of the Trinity (God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). “Theophany” is a Greek word (Theos – God; phaneia – manifestation) which means “manifestation of God.” Epiphany, a closely related Greek word (epi – above; phaneia – manifestation) means “manifestation from above.” The root meaning of both words is manifestation. 

In the churches of the West, the Feast of Epiphany is understood as the feast of the revelation of Jesus Christ to the Magi who represent the Gentiles. Christ was revealed to the nations at his birth. The manifestation of the light of Christ and his glory to the Magi was the culmination of the Feast of the Nativity. 

The traditional date for the feast of Epiphany (Theophany) is January 6. Eastern Churches which use the Julian Calendar observe the Epiphany/Theophany feast on January 19.

In the Eastern churches, especially among the Orthodox, the Feast of Theophany is the great feast second only to Easter. There are four key manifestations of God’s glory in Christ which are celebrated in this feast: (1) Jesus’ baptism at the River Jordan where he is revealed in glory with the Father and Holy Spirit. (2) When the “Word became flesh” (the nativity of Jesus Christ) “we beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father” (John 1:14). (3) The shinning forth of a star which guided the magi from the East to journey to Bethlehem where the glory of the newborn Messiah King was revealed to them (Matthew 2:1-12, Numbers 24:17, Is.60).  (4) Jesus’ first public miracle when he “manifested his glory” (John 2:11) by changing water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana.

A Selection of Readings (ancient & modern)

• “The Word Made Flesh” – The Scandal of the Incarnation, by Irenaeus (130-200 AD) 
• The Revealing of the Hidden Mystery, by Hippolytus (170-236 AD)
• God Showers Us with Gifts, by Irenaeus 200 A.D.
• The Wonder of Christ, by Origen (185-254 AD)
• When Christ comes, God will be seen by men and women, by Irenaeus 200 A.D.
• The Word made flesh deifies us, by Hippolytus (170-236 AD)
• The Wonderful Exchange, by Athanasius (298-373 AD) and Gregory Nazianzen (330-389)
• On the Nativity of Christ, by Romanos the Melodist (late 5^th century AD)
• If Christ had not been born of woman, by Proclus of Constantinople (446)

• Life itself appeared in human form, by Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD)
• Truth sprang from the earth and justice looked down from heaven, by Augustine of Hippo
• O Christian, be aware of  your nobility, by Leo the Great (died 461 AD)
• The Wisdom of God was made flesh, by Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD)
• The Magnificat, a commentary of Bede on St. Luke’s Gospel (672-735 AD)
• The fulness of the Godhead came in the fulness of time, by Bernard of Clairvaux 
• The Word of God will Come Within Us, by Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)

• A Child My Choice, Poem on the Incarnation by Robert Southwell (1561-1595)
• “The Word was made flesh,” by Lancelot Andrewes (1555-1626)
• Showing Forth of Christ, by John Donne (1572-1631)
• “There came wise men from the East,” by Lancelot Andrewes (1620)

• From the Manger to the Cross, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945)
• The Real Meaning of Christmas: What it means for us, by Steve Clark (1940-2024)
• God Became Like Us to Save Us, A Reflection by Bruce Yocum (1948-2022)
• “Today a Savior Has Been Born to You,” by Carlos Alonso Vargas
• God in Bethlehem’s Cave: a meditation by Don Schwager 
• “Comes a  Warrior”- A Christmas Meditation by Robert Barron

• The Word Made Flesh, Anna’s Heir, and Journey by Starlight, poems by Jeanne Kun 
• “You shall call his name Jesus,” by Jeanne Kun
• Jesus: a portrait of humility, by Jeanne Kun
• The Incarnation – A Christian Hymn, and A Star, Poems by Sean O’Neill
• Born This Eve, by Lynne May
• And He Lived Among Us, Therese Hilario Andres

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Top image credit: Three icons painted by Nicola Juha, from Bethlehem, Holy Land. See his website at Bethlehem Nicola Icons.