Theophany
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this lesson is to help the students gain a deeper understanding of the story of Jesus' baptism, to understand why He was baptized, and to recognize the importance of Epiphany as a Major Feast of the Lord.
INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 5-10 Minutes
Option 1:
Ask the students:
- Has anyone been to a baptism?
- Who knows what day they were baptized?
- Does anyone know their Baptism name?
- Why do we get baptized in the first place?
Option 2: Demonstration
Materials: Large clear bowl, water, pepper, bar of soap
Fill the bowl with only water, and explain that this represents creation before the fall of Adam and Eve. Next, have the students dirty the water by sprinkling pepper into the water. Ask:
- What happens to water as years go by? (It becomes more and more dirty)
- How can we clean this water?
Now instruct the students to get all the pepper out of the bowls without losing any of the water. After some time has passed, ask:
- Can we get all the pepper out without losing any water with our fingers?
- Can we get all the pepper out without losing any water with a spoon?
- Can we remove the pepper without losing any water ourselves?
Hand out the bars of soap. Instruct the soap-holders to dip a bar into the center of each bowl (if you have never done this exercise, the soap entering the water will cause the pepper to disperse to the sides of the bowl instantly).
- What happened when the soap entered the water?
- Why couldn't we get the water clean by ourselves?
- Who does the soap represent? (Christ, as He enters the water, He sanctifies and restores it to its original state.)
Today's lesson will discuss the feast of the baptism of Christ. We refer to this feast as the Epiphany, or Theopathy. The word Epiphany means manifestation. The word Theophany means manifestation of God.
HOLY SCRIPTURE - 2 Minutes
Memory Verse - "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17)
Biblical narratives of the Baptism of Christ (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22)
CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 20 Minutes
The Epiphany (or Theophany) commemorates the baptism of our Lord Jesus by St. John the Baptist in the river Jordan.
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?" But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:13-17).
We see the manifestation of the Holy Trinity at the baptism of Christ:
- God the Father speaks from heaven
- God the Son (Jesus) is being baptized by John
- God the Holy Spirit appears in the form of a dove.
This manifestation of Christ is different from all the others (birth, magi, and wedding at Cana), because on this day God reveals Himself fully: He is one in three persons. This is the mystery which allows us to call on the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit as one God. Nothing can be added to this vision.
- This is why the word Epiphany meaning "manifestation" was replaced by Theophany in the Coptic Church meaning "manifestation of God," the latter specifying and developing the meaning of the feast.
- The Holy Trinity was fully Manifested during this feast: God the Father is present in the voice from heaven, God the Son was present in person in the water, and the Holy Spirit was present as a dove
In addition to the baptism of Christ being a great example of seeing our one God through the Holy Trinity, it also has other symbolic meanings.
- Baptism is a symbol of death and resurrection; Christ came to the earth in order to die and be raised.
- Baptism is a symbol of repentance of sin and its forgiveness; Christ came as the Lamb of God who takes upon Himself the sin of the world in order to take it away.
- Baptism is a symbol of sanctification; Christ has come to sanctify the whole of creation.
Christ did not need to be baptized. He was sinless and already full of the Holy Spirit. He did it as an example to us so that we can follow His example. The baptism of Christ is a great example of humility.
John the Baptist baptized by water only. Our baptism today, through Christ's baptism, is a baptism by water and spirit. We cannot enter the kingdom of God unless we are baptized. Jesus says in John 3:5, "Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."
The act of baptism, therefore, represents the entire mystery of Christ, the whole purpose of His coming.
Epiphany in the Coptic Church
- The Feast of the Epiphany is celebrated on 11th Tubah (January 19th), and is always 12 days after the Nativity feast.
- It is one of the 7 Major Feasts of the Lord
- The Divine Liturgy for this feast starts at night on January 18th and concludes after midnight on January 19th. The Gospel reading is John 1:18-34.
- Before the liturgy, special prayers called "Lakkan" or Liturgy of Blessing the Waters are said.
- The Liturgy for the Blessing of the Waters includes prayers of thanksgiving and bible readings about the waters (Have students read some of the passages and ask how they find the Holy Spirit represented in the reading.)
- Habakuk 3:2-19
- Isaiah 35:1,2
- Isaiah 40:1-5
- Isaiah 9:1,2
- Baruch 3:36-38,4:1-4
- Ezekiel 36:24-29
- Ezekiel 47:1-9
- 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
- Psalm 113:3,5
- Matthew 3:1-17
DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 5 Minutes
- When do we celebrate Epiphany?
- How was the Holy Trinity manifested during the baptism of Jesus?
- What are the differences between the words "Epiphany" and "Theophany"?
- What does the baptism of Jesus represent?
- What special prayers do we pray in the Coptic Church on the Feast of Epiphany?
LIFE APPLICATION - 5 Minutes
While Jesus was being baptized, His Father declared that this was His Son in whom He was pleased. What does it mean to be pleased with someone? Jesus did what He was willed to do, and God the Father was pleased with Him. We should also live in a way that would make God and our parents pleased with us. This means doing the right thing if we are in a difficult situation where we are tempted to do something wrong. Have the students come up with ways to fill in the following statement. 'God is pleased with me when I ."
ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes
Traditionally, many Copts used visual imagery of rich food traditions to teach children the most sophisticated theological concepts. You can introduce these traditions with your students. (See attached Traditions sheet)
Option 1: Orange Lanterns
See attached Lantern Activity Sheet to make orange lanterns with the students
Option 2: Worksheet
See attached worksheet
Option 3: Skit
In groups of 4, have the students act out the story of Epiphany.
- Student 1 - Jesus
- Student 2 - John the Baptist
- Student 3 - Holds up paper dove (Holy Spirit)
- Student 4 - Voice from heaven (God the Father)
SERVANT RESOURCES
PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK
Encourage your children to attend Lakkan.