Mr Alan Yates, Moderator of the URC’s General Assembly, reflects on celebrating Epiphany in Spain.

In the mid-90s I spent some time working in Spain.  My client boss was a smart and amusing man called Toni.  It was through Toni that I learnt about the format of a traditional Spanish Christmas, and how presents are typically given on 6 January not 25 December.  

Although initially strange, at least to an Englishman, it did not take long to recognise the significance of celebrating Epiphany in this way.  

The story of the Magi highlights the great revelation, to the Gentiles, that the infant Christ is our King, Priest and Saviour (as exemplified by the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh). What is true and what is not clear.  What is clear, however, is the truth that lies behind the story; that Jesus is King, Priest and Saviour for Jews and Gentiles, in other words, all of us. 

At this time of Epiphany, whether or not this is your main time for giving presents, please dwell on God’s great gift of his son to us all.  The gift that keeps on giving, the gift that loves us and teaches us to love, the gift we would die for!

Saviour Lord, I pray that you will open our eyes to reveal yourself and enable us to follow your way confident in your providence and power.  Amen.

Picture: © 1825, Leopold Kupelwieser (1796-1862), Diocese de Rouen, PD-US, PD-UKGov