Dr. Coggins, you are a trained historian and an amateur theologian. What wisdom do you have for us today?

I’m always glad to help. Here is my thought for this week. January 6 is a very important date for me, and it has a lot to do with wisdom.

The calendar says January 6 is Epiphany. What’s that all about?

In the ancient Christian calendar, Epiphany is the day when the wise men brought gifts to the infant Jesus. Epiphany comes from a Greek word meaning “a sudden and important manifestation or realization.” The idea might be that this was when Jesus was revealed to the wise men.

Why is Epiphany on January 6?

The coming of the wise men is the last act of the Christmas story, and so it comes at the end of “the twelve days of Christmas.”

Why are there twelve days of Christmas?

No good reason. It was just because the Council of Tours in 567 declared that the twelve days after Christmas would be a festive season.

But Jesus was not actually born on December 25?

Almost certainly not.

So, there is no justification for thinking the wise men arrived in Bethlehem on January 6.

None whatsoever. The odds are 364 to 1.  

So why do you think Epiphany makes January 6 an important date?

I never said it did.

Well, then, were you thinking that January 6 is the date that Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas?

Certainly not. And you’re confused. Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7, but they start their celebrations on Christmas Eve, January 6. Further, Eastern Orthodox Christians don’t deliberately celebrate Christmas on January 6 or January 7. They celebrate Christmas on December 25 like everyone else. It’s just that because of a confusion in their calendar, they think that January 7 is December 25. I don’t think confusion is a good reason to make any date special.

Did some other Christian event happen on January 6?

Yes, the Mennonite Brethren Church was founded on January 6, 1860.

You were a member of the Mennonite Brethren Church, weren’t you?

Yes, but that was a long time ago.

So, is the founding of the Mennonite Brethren Church the reason January 6 is an important date?

No. It does not matter when a church was founded. What matters is what it is doing today.

Are you thinking about the Capitol riot in the United States in support of Donald Trump?

That happened on January 6? Certainly not. Neither the United States nor Donald Trump are as important as they think they are. I don’t pay much attention to them.

So, why is January 6 an important date, and what does it have to do with wisdom?

That is the date I married my wife Jackie, and that was the wisest thing I ever did.

So, Epiphany has nothing to do with it?

It has everything to do with it. Every year, when I get a new calendar, I look at the first page, and on January 6, it says “Epiphany.” That is a great reminder. It means I can never forget my anniversary.

That is very wise.

That’s what I said.