rise and shine

My wife and I returned from our trip to Tennessee yesterday evening—the twelfth day of Christmas.  I was able to “rise and shine and give God the glory” this morning, the day of the Epiphany of our Lord.

Here are some fun facts about Epiphany.  In Matthew’s gospel (2:1-12), which has the story of the visit of the Magi, we’re never told that there are three of them.  The idea of three likely arose because three gifts are brought to the young Jesus.  We’re also never told that they are kings.  That idea likely comes from poetic passages in the Old Testament, such as Psalms 68:29 and 72:10 and Isaiah 60:3.

These extra tidbits to story are legendary in nature.  Still, I like the hymn “We Three Kings of Orient Are” as much as the next person! 

(The image is “Adoration of the Kings” by James B. Janknegt)