Tuesday 6 January 2009

Whatever would you think if people turned up at your house a full 12 days late for the Christmas celebrations? There might still be some turkey left over, of course, but they really would have missed the party. They might blame their sat-nav, I suppose, or a senior moment in mis-reading the diary. But, whatever the excuse, the chances are you would be less than impressed. So why do Christian churches the world over celebrate the arrival of the wise men on the scene on this day, 12 days after Christmas? The festival, celebrated today, is known as Epiphany, meaning appearance…or 'showing up' if you like.

To celebrate anyone showing up so late to the party seems like an odd thing to do. But, it is the fact that they arrive at all which we celebrate. These strange visitors from their distant land with their exotic gifts are a reminder that Christmas is a truly universal story. The wise men, arriving in all their gold and splendour just when the shine is wearing off the Christmas decorations, are a welcome sign that Christmas is not just a little domestic story tucked away in a stable to be packed into the loft for next year. If these wise men, with all their learning and wisdom, thought the story was worth a second look, then perhaps they are right. If anything, the fact that their long journey to the stable took them longer than anyone else just emphasises the point.

Mind you, I find it hard to talk about these things after a traumatic experience as a wise man in the Christmas play at age of 6. There I was, striding across the school assembly hall towards the stable, resplendent in my coloured tights (don't laugh) and my cardboard crown when disaster struck. My embroidered cloak, made from an old and hefty curtain, snapped its moorings and fell off my small shoulders. Unsure what to do, I stood there clinging to my bottle of myrrh and waiting to be rescued. The ever dependable Mrs Preston flew to my aid, repaired the cloak, and sent one little wise man on his way.

We all feel like we need a rescue once in a while. We all feel we need a little extra wisdom on the scene. The arrival of the wise men on the feast of epiphany many days after the birth of Christ is a reminder that the New Year is full of possibilities. Who knows what might turn up, just when we need it? Perhaps we should re-name Epiphany as 'turning up' day - because something…or someone always will.