My Journey to the Epiphany

William Eastman; Friar Order of Saint Cuthbert, Warden Good Shepherd Anglican / December 29, 2025

This was a very curious and unexpected assignment. Although I knew of the story, it is not something that I have drilled down on; considered at best ancillary to the story of Y’Shua. Also, the idea of creating a Chronicle is more than a history recital, perhaps it is also my personal journey to faith starting with the mysterious star over Bethlehem which inspired the Magi (starting as a Median Tribe, then a term used for Priests and finally Magicians or Seer’s) on their journey; what was mine?

The year is 1 Tishrei 3758 AM (September 20, 4 BCE) and you are one of several astronomers in the Nabatean court in Hegra looking in the night sky when you spot an anomaly; is this the “star that has come out of Jacob” as prophesied? You confer with your colleagues and decided it is the announcement that King of the Jews is born and homage required. Shortly after the observation you leave and depart for Jerusalem.

What is the importance of his birth? It’s significance to the gentile world is unknown except that YHWH has sent a sacred soul, perhaps his son, to earth to rule. If it is he who is both perfectly holy (hating evil) and perfectly gracious (providing rescue), then the history of the world is about to change.

· I wish my Star of Jacob was more pronounced. It came from an internal void or hole that was unspoken, but a cause of constant unease. I was very successful working as a corporate consultant with more money and success then ever envisioned. And yet it felt unwhole. I had all the vices that yielding to temptation brought; most specifically pride, lust, and greed. I was surrounded by a few practicing Christians trying to help but nothing took hold. Then one day while stranded at yet another airport I came across the book “Seven Story Mountain”. I read the reviews and something told me to buy and read. I didn’t finish it during the delay but it became my sole source of downtime for the next few months. Then it happened, I arrived at the same page that described my life to that moment and couldn’t wait to turn the page: Thomas Merton decided to become a Catholic.

It was a long and difficult journey for the Magi. The journey took them 3 months, mostly or entirely at night, to reach Jerusalem and their meeting with King Herod. Because of Herod’s and Judea’s long relationship with the Nabatean Empire (Herod the Great’s mother was Nabatean), he took the meeting. When they asked “where is the King of the Jews?”, Herod was surprised. He asked his scribes about the Magi claim, they advised him that in the Book of Micah the prophesy stated Bethlehem. Herod then made a request of the Magi if they find him, please let him know so the new king could be worshipped. The Magi left the meeting with the impression Herod was fearful of this challenge to his power and suspected his motives; this was reinforced in a dream

They journeyed to Bethlehem and found Y’Shua.

· My journey of faith started with returning to the church of my baptism and confirmation; the Episcopal Church. Whatever I remembered from my youth was no longer found in any of their churches and this led me to begin researching the Bible and Christianity. Being a scientist, what I found most challenging was the illogic of Christianity. The Hindu’s and Buddhist’s had a more logical approach to life and death. It was only after much contemplation, I was not praying at this point in my life – I didn’t know how, came the revelation that if YHWH created everything and yet knew what was in our hearts – there is no man made logic to explain it; perhaps the truth laid here.

When the infant Y’Shua, then knelt before him and provided gifts of great worldly value: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. He fulfilled the prophesy of a righteous ruler whose just, peaceful, and universal reign brings blessing to the world; a kingship over all nations. Yielding to their suspicions and dreams, they departed taking a different route to Hegra avoiding Jerusalem and Herod.

· I didn’t have a Pauline experience, there was no knocking me off an ass onto my arse. My journey, like Merton’s, was Peterine. I circled the faith by reading anything, no matter how obscure, to understand Christianity and the Bible. My growth into faith was drop by drop and rationalized why I didn’t experience Paul’s revelation is YHWH talks to us in ways we can hear; attack my mind.

Herod was incensed that the Magi didn’t return with the location of ‘this new King of the Jews’ so through royal edict ordered the death to all male children 2 years and younger in Bethlehem – he was taking no chances. When Joseph and Mary heard about the decree they fled to Egypt with the gifts of the Magi providing the ability to flee.

· Slowly, very slowly, I started to change my behavior by attacking sin. The Magi brought Y’Shua what was of great worldly value, but the real value beyond anything of this world is the soul. I remarried and took my vows before YHWH seriously taming the pleasures of lust. I dedicated my business to helping the global entrepreneurial community which makes greed difficult. That leaves with pride – very much a work in progress.

· Back to Merton, I didn’t feel called to ordination, as a Priest or Deacon, rather to join a monastic order. Since my obligations don’t allow for isolation, I decided to join a tertiary order as a Friar living in the world.; it fit my personality and situation. Being an amateur historian, I have tried to model two great leaders William Marshall and George Patton. Marshall for hi integrity and Patton for his audacity; both professional warriors. I want to be the sword for Christ supporting the pious: my Priests, my Abbot, and my Bishop.