Epiphany--Why is this Camel Smiling?
Epiphany is celebrated January 6th or 7th, 2024. Epiphany is based on the account of the Magi who travelled from the east (likely on camels) and followed a star to worship the newborn king of Israel (Matthew chapter 2). Christians believe this visit fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy written thousands of years before Christ was born:
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you…
Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
(Isaiah 60:1, 3, NIV)
The point that the Matthew is making is that Christ came for people of all nations. God was very purposeful in revealing this truth to Jesus’ disciples, who didn’t get it at first (see Acts 10).
In Epiphany we see that God reveals wonders to us that we can’t figure out on our own, no matter how smart we are. God revealed Christ to the Gentile Magi, and God reveals the beauty and majesty of Christ to us today.
In the biblical view, all of creation praises God in unique ways. The Christ who was born in a manger and laid in a feeding trough delights in all that he has made—including the creatures of the earth.
You may know that camels have an amazing ability to travel a long distance without water.
Camels also have long eyelashes to protect them from sandstorms, and soft padded feet that allow them to walk miles through the sand without sinking. So, the camel is smiling because she too is part of God’s Grand Story. The camel was called to use her unique characteristics to glorify the Lord of All.
Humans have also been endowed with unique characteristics. We each bear the image of our Creator God (Genesis 1:26).
We have the capacity to know God in an intimate way, to receive God’s revealed truth, and to use our whole selves to love God, one another, and all of creation.
May we find joy as the camel, knowing that God has made us and has chosen us to be a part of a Grand Story that stretches around the world and throughout all time.
Anglican Bishop Gregory K. Cameron suggests that the Magi were like scientists of their day who sought to understand the wonders of the universe. He writes:
“Pause to thank God for the conscious and curious mind you have been given and the skills and talents that it holds. Pray that you may use that knowledge and skill for the cause of good and the service of all that is lovely.”
Cameron then offers this prayer:
“Lord of life, as we recall the wise men who paid you humble homage after following the star to Bethlehem, teach us that in you lies the deepest truth and wisest answers to the mysteries of creation. Amen.”[1]
Join the conversation!
-What amazing things about creation do you notice?
-About human beings?
-Paul wrote that in Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:3).” What treasures has Christ revealed to you?
Shadow Puppet Performance
In case you are wondering, I made the camel shadow puppet out of cardboard, attaching leather pieces with a glue gun. The eyes are made of painted shells and the reigns and saddle are made of fabric and sequin strands. There are four parts (body, head/neck, front feet, back feet, tail) attached with a paper fastener for movement. For a shadow puppet performance, hang a sheet and put puppets behind sheet with a light source behind puppets. You can attach sticks to puppets to make them move. The silhouette of the puppets will be projected on the sheet. Or, you can put a light source behind you and project puppets onto a wall.
I invite you to comment and share this post!
[1] Gregory Kenneth Cameron, An Advent Book of Days: Meeting the Characters of Christmas (Brewster, MA: Paraclete Press, 2021), 61.