.png)
4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. - Titus 3:4-5
Today is the day. Kids all over wake up in anticipation of an epiphany—the appearance of gifts under a tree, all wrapped, decorated, and named. It would be a lie to say adults don’t feel the same. It is a wondrous feeling of excitement and joy and hope! These are all appropriate feelings for Christmas, because we celebrate the appearance (epephanē, in Greek) of Jesus Christ. We celebrate his coming. We celebrate the kindness and love of God coming down in the flesh of a baby boy. This word is an important one. It shows up four times in the New Testament as a verb (epephanē) and six times as a noun (epiphaneia). When used as a verb, it is always closely connected to salvation.
Luke 1:76-79 — Zechariah sang a song of celebration when his son, John the Baptist was born. The song says that John would give God’s people “the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine (appear) on those living in darkness.”
Acts 27:20 — Paul was caught in a bad storm at sea, fearing death. “When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.”
Titus 2:11 — “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.”
Titus 3:4-5 — “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us.”
In each of these instances, the appearance—the epephanē—is connected with salvation. Certainly, this is most evident in Christ. In the appearance of Christ, salvation is found! The grace of God, the kindness of God, the love of God came to save you. This is the most wondrous gift, and completely undeserved. What’s more, we shall see Christ appear once again. When the word ‘appearance’ shows up in noun form (epiphaneia) in the New Testament (the six occurrences are 2 Thess 2:8, 1 Tim 6:14, 2 Tim 1:10, 4:1, 4:8, Titus 2:13) it is exclusively in reference to Christ’s second coming. Love has come, but he will come again. When he appears again, he will save us fully and finally. We can look forward in confident hope—salvation will come when Christ appears. Indeed, salvation has come already in Christ when love came down. Christina Rossetti, an English poet from the mid- to late- 19th century, penned this poem, Love Came Down at Christmas, celebrating the love of God come to earth in Jesus. Consider using this poem before your Christmas meal today in joyful thanks and hope.
Love came down at Christmas, love all lovely, Love divine; Love was born at Christmas; star and angels gave the sign. Worship we the Godhead, Love incarnate, Love divine; worship we our Jesus, but wherewith for sacred sign? Love shall be our token; love be yours and love be mine; love to God and others, love for plea and gift and sign.
Thanks and praise be to God!
~ Pastor Tim