One of the most beloved Christmas traditions in my homeland, England, takes place every Christmas Day at three o’clock in the afternoon. Just as families are winding down after their traditional Christmas dinner of roast turkey, the television is switched on, and everyone gathers together to watch The Queen’s annual Christmas broadcast to the nation and the Commonwealth. This tradition of speaking on Christmas Day to her people follows a tradition established by her grandfather King George V back in 1932, when his speech was written by the great author Rudyard Kipling, and was transmitted live over the radio on the BBC’s World Service.
I mention this because today is the Feast of the Epiphany, the Feast of the Three Kings. Kings, and Queens, have been a part of our Western Christian heritage throughout the Middle Ages, and on to the present day. As head of their respective nations, they represent the highest pinnacle of civil power and authority under only God himself. Unfortunately, many monarchs have not lived up to the momentous responsibilities given to them by God. Throughout history we have watched as “the kings of the earth rise up, and the rulers have taken counsel together against the Lord, and against his Anointed.” It started with today's Gospel, where we see King Herod trying to trick the Three Wise Men into betraying the location of the newborn King of Kings. He’s already plotting his mischief against the Christ Child. Later in history, we have only to think of the English King Henry II who had St. Thomas a Becket murdered in the cathedral, or Henry VIII, who was responsible for the execution of St. Thomas More.
Herod and the two Henrys—three bad kings, certainly. But today our focus is on another three Kings. Three Kings from the Orient, who followed their star of wonder across field and fountain, moor and mountain, until at last it came to rest above the stable at Bethlehem. What made Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar travel so far in the bleak midwinter? What was it that brought them to that stable where they presented their precious gifts to the child in the humble manger? Was it mere curiosity at the astronomical phenomenon of a moving star? Or was it to see fulfilled some long-remembered prophecy? However, the real lesson we learn from them lies not in the reasons why they made their journey, but rather in the image of these three Kings, kneeling at the feet of the infant Messiah, humbly recognizing, in this baby in the stable, him who from this moment was to be not only the glory of his people Israel, but also a light to enlighten the Gentiles. This image is the announcement to us, the Gentiles, that Christ came for the Redemption not only of the Jews, but of all mankind. Including ourselves.
This humble baby is none other than the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the source of all power and authority. In the Gospel of St. Matthew he himself tells us “I am a King. All power is given to me in heaven and in earth.” But why did this King of kings become a man to dwell amongst us? He had all power to rule over us and govern us, but rather than do this during his life on earth, he preferred to humbly serve. His real reason for being born was to save mankind from all his iniquities. And to save us, he served us.
This is why the Three Kings came to Bethlehem. They came “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity.” And in return for the gift that the Christ Child gave them in this his glorious manifestation to the Gentiles, they gave him their gifts. The gift of gold in recognition of the Kingship of Christ. The gift of frankincense, in recognition of his priesthood. And the gift of myrrh, a burial ointment, symbolizing the death he would suffer for us. King, God, and suffering Redeemer. Gold, frankincense and myrrh. They gave their gifts, each more precious than the last, and they gave them with the same love that the humble shepherds presented their lambs. The Three Kings humbled themselves before the King of kings. They knelt before him, acknowledging that their own power and authority was derived from the divine power and authority that emanated from this tiny baby in his Mother’s arms. They knelt and served their King, their Lord and master.
This is the attitude all rulers should adopt today. No matter how much power they may wield in this world, they should humbly acknowledge that this power comes from God, and that they must lead their people in worshiping this God. Alas, so many heads of state today sorely neglect their first duty, which is to publicly and humbly acknowledge that their power comes from God. It is striking, then, when we hear words from a reigning monarch clearly reflecting the Catholic teaching that all authority comes from God, and that it is therefore the duty of all, whether shepherds or kings, to serve God and their neighbor. Queen Elizabeth II acceded to the throne in 1952, and has reigned now for almost 70 years. Her reign has been one of continual service to her people, and this theme of service, giving to others, was central to her Christmas message a few years ago. Here are her words from the end of her broadcast:
"At Christmas I am always struck by how the spirit of togetherness lies also at the heart of the Christmas story. A young mother and a dutiful father with their baby were joined by poor shepherds and visitors from afar. They came with their gifts to worship the Christ child. From that day on he has inspired people to commit themselves to the best interests of others.
"This is the time of year when we remember that God sent his only Son 'to serve, not to be served'. He restored love and service to the centre of our lives in the person of Jesus Christ.
"It is my prayer this Christmas Day that his example and teaching will continue to bring people together to give the best of themselves in the service of others.
"The carol,In the Bleak Midwinter, ends by asking a question of all of us who know the Christmas story, of how God gave himself to us in humble service: 'What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man, I would do my part'. The carol gives the answer 'Yet what I can I give him - give my heart'.”
This was the call of a Queen to her people. To follow the example of the Christ Child and give of themselves, to be generous in their dedication to the needs of others. And most of all to give God our heart. Here are the two great commandments, to love God with all our heart and mind and strength, and to love our neighbour as ourselves. We are called to service in the army of Christ the King. We are called upon to do our duty. But it is a duty we should fulfill with love, because it is in loving that we do our duty, loving God and neighbour isour duty.
It was the custom on the feast of Epiphany, or Twelfth Night as it is sometimes called in England, that the lord and lady of the manor would seat their servants at the head table, and would serve them drinks and a fine dinner. This topsy-turvy overturning of the normal hierarchy of authority meant one simple thing: it was a reminder that the higher the calling, the greater the responsibility. Kings, lords, and ladies, and certainly our politicians, are the servants of the people, and although it is we the people who appear to serve them, the actual truth is that they have been given power solely in order to serve the people better. The last shall be first, and the first shall be last. It is one of the major themes of the Christmas season.
Added to this theme of humility and service today is the great Epiphany message: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” With the arrival of the Three Kings at the stable, the Saviour is made manifest to the Gentiles. The good news of our salvation is spread abroad through the word of the Magi, and eventually through the words of the evangelists in the Holy Scripture. It is our Christmas Message from Bethlehem. The image of the manger is our very first Christmas Broadcast from a King to his people and to the nations. A message from a King, and broadcast by kings. And today, we gather around to hear this Christmas message of salvation, not just passively, but so that we can ourselves broadcast this message, not to far off nations but more simply, to our neighbour. Let us broadcast this message by our example and our prayers. Broadcast this message with dedication, in service to those less fortunate than ourselves, who do not rejoice in the knowledge of these truths but who still yearn for something to fill the empty void they feel in their lives.
Let us look to Our Blessed Mother and St. Joseph, and their own example of holy and dutiful service to their infant Son. Let us follow their example by knowing, loving and serving God in this world, so that we may be happy with him forever in the next.
