The Importance of the Feast of the Epiphany

Within a few days after the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ many folks are fond of saying “Christmas is over, I’m ready for summer.” Decorations in homes begin to come down, Christmas merchandise is at least 50% off in retail stores, and life immediately goes back to “normal.” The memory of Christmas begins to fade as people look forward to ringing in the New Year. In Catholic tradition, however, the Christmas season is not over until the Feast of the Epiphany, generally celebrated on January 6 or on the closest Sunday to the feast day. In essence, the birthday of our Lord is not complete until the child receives his gifts. In storytelling this is a charming facet of accepted traditions, but in matters of faith there is an essential component to this tradition: reverence.

The Feast of the Epiphany is a commemoration of the visit of the Magi, the three Wise Men, or the Three Kings, whoever they may have been. Their visit was important enough to record in the gospel of Matthew: “When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” After their audience with the king, they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.” (Matthew 2: 1-12)

Catholics refer to this event as the “Epiphany,” the word meaning a manifestation or revelation. That the Magi travelled from afar to behold the birth of Jesus, of whom many prophecies had been told, is something important to consider. Unlike the shepherds, the Magi were not locals, they were not common laborers or uneducated. They represented another class. When critics of Christianity point the finger at lower, uneducated people who invent tales and legends of saviors coming into the world to free them from tyranny, it is impossible to discount the record of educated men of means who travel great distances to come to a lowly born child and do him homage. As sophisticated and educated as we may be in modern culture, are we taking the time in these days after Christmas to continue a journey which began with Advent to seek Christ? Are we setting aside prayerful time to pay him homage in these days that follow all the festivities? Do we kneel before Jesus in reverence to thank him for his presence in our lives? Do we offer him gifts, for after all, just a few short days ago we acknowledged that it was his birthday? What gifts can we offer him? The best gift we can offer Jesus Christ is the gift of ourselves, our lives, our devotion.

The Feast of the Epiphany is an important reminder that the journey of faith continues. We continue to follow the light of Christ as we progress more deeply in our relationship with God. This period of time between Christmas and the Epiphany is an important time to cherish the journey. Now that the excitement and anticipation of Christmas has settled, we can take this quiet time to praise God, to revere his Son, and to ask the Spirit to help us follow God’s will in a better way in the coming year. Let God manifest himself in our hearts; let us be still so that we may discover what God wishes to reveal to us this season. Let us follow the example of the Magi and do whatever we must to find Jesus and do him homage.