Epiphany is a feast day in the Christian calendar. It is traditionally celebrated on the 6th of January, or the first Sunday of the new year. The New Church does not adhere closely to the traditional Christian calendar, but Epiphany generally focuses on the visit of the Magi, which is a theme that we often do touch on in the days following Christmas. In common speech an "epiphany" suggests a sudden insight. But is this idea somehow relevant to the Magi? Is there some element in the story that suggests that they came to some special threshold of new understanding?
Readings: Numbers 24:12-19, Matthew 2:1-12, Apocalypse Explained 422:20
Minister: Rev. Stephen D. Cole
Delivered January 4th, 2026 at the Bryn Athyn Cathedral in Bryn Athyn, PA.
The Bryn Athyn Church is a congregation of the General Church of the New Jerusalem, located in Bryn Athyn, PA. We are committed to helping each other draw closer to the Lord God Jesus Christ through lives of love and useful service, guided by the Old and New Testaments and the Heavenly Doctrine for the New Church (contained in the theological works of Emanuel Swedenborg). Please join us for worship on Sunday mornings; services and times can be found at brynathynchurch.org.
