The Feast of the Epiphany commemorates the arrival of the Three Wise Men, also known as the Three Kings or the Magi, who traveled a long distance, most likely from Persia, to see the child Jesus. The visit of the Magi has deep theological significance. Jesus was born among the Jewish people and was the fulfillment of the ancient Hebrew prophecies of the coming of the Messiah. However, the Magi recognized that his mission was not just to the people of Israel, but to the whole world. His work of redemption was to be for all of humanity.
When they find the child Jesus, the Magi prostrate themselves before him, which is a sign of worship. Thereby, they recognize Jesus as the true power in the world. They do not reverence Herod, who is the local king, installed by the Roman Empire, which controlled the area. Nor to do the Magi show worship to the Roman Emperor, who was regarded as a divine figure. Persia was outside the control of Roman Empire and the Magi show no sign of bowing before the power and majesty of mighty Rome. Instead, they single out the child Jesus for their obeisance. The true power in the world is not the emperor controlling formidable armies but the child Jesus, who is God Incarnate.
The Magi worshipping Jesus highlights the kingship of Christ. But Christ would not claim raw power by subduing nations through military force, as the Romans did, and the Persians too, when they were a great imperial force. Instead, Christ brought spiritual transformation into the world through his self-sacrifice upon the Cross. He freed humanity from our spiritual bondage. He opened the door for us to enter into the new order of the world ruled entirely by divine love.
The gifts brought by the Magi speak of the true identity and future actions of Christ. The gold was a royal gift, pointing toward Christ’s kingship. The frankincense highlights Christ’s Divine Nature, since incense was used as a sign of worship. At the same time, the frankincense also shows his future role as the high priest, who will offer up the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of the human race, allowing himself to be killed upon the Cross. The myrrh points toward the mortality of his human nature. He will die upon the Cross and experience human death, until the Resurrection.
Thus the coming of the Magi already signals the true mission of Christ. Ironically, the Magi traveling from so far away recognize who Christ is, but the local political authority, King Herod, refuses to accept the coming of the prophesied Messiah. Instead, as the Gospel passage for this Sunday continues, Herod tries to kill the child Jesus, ordering the slaughter of all boys under the age of two. The Holy Family has to flee to Egypt in order to escape Herod’s murderous plan.
The irony of the flight into Egypt could not be overstated in the historical context of the Israelites. Many centuries earlier, the patriarchs of Israel moved to Egypt, where the Israelites became numerous and prosperous. The Egyptian Pharaoh became jealous of their success and enslaved them. In time he also tried to destroy them by ordering the slaughter of all newborn Israelite males. God then raised up Moses and Aaron in order to free his people from the bondage of Egypt. We see in the Exodus account how the Israelites were eventually freed and then set out toward the Promised Land. Every year, the Israelites would celebrate their liberation in the Passover ritual.
In time, the Israelites established a powerful and prosperous kingdom in their new land. But due to their disobedience, God allowed them to be overcome by foreign powers. However, through the prophets, God promised them the coming of the Messiah who would liberate them.
When Jesus is born, the long-awaited Messiah had finally come. But instead of being welcomed by the contemporary ruler of his people, he has to flee to Egypt for safety - to the very land from which God had rescued the people of Israel. Egypt is safer for him than his own land.
Herod's attempt to kill Jesus shows just how determined the forces of darkness are to oppose God's grace in the world. We do not have to look far in our own culture to see those forces active. The powers seeking to defeat Christ and to eradicate Christianity from the world never rest. Just as Herod slaughtered the Holy Innocents in the attempt to kill Jesus, the dark powers active in our culture today will stop at nothing. As followers of Christ, we can expect to be targeted. We might even have to make the ultimate sacrifice for our faith.
But we must remember the Resurrection. Christ seemed to be overcome by the forces of evil. He died upon the Cross. He was placed into a tomb. But then he rose from the dead. He conquered sin and death, showing that his divine power is greater than the forces of darkness in the world. Christ showed that he is the true ruler of the world. In the fullness of time, the whole world will come to see what the Magi recognized already so many years ago, that Christ is the true King of the Universe.
According to tradition, after the Magi returned home, they did not receive news about the events of the life of Jesus. That is, until the Apostle Thomas journeyed to the area where they lived to spread the Good News. St. Thomas met with the Magi, told them about the death and Resurrection of Christ and baptized them into the Christian faith.
Traditionally, the Magi have been known as Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. Their tombs are believed to be in Cologne Cathedral in Germany. The Magi have always been honored in Christian culture and a number of popular customs are associated with Epiphany, the feast commemorating their arrival.
Historically, the Feast of the Epiphany, celebrated on January 6, marked the end of the Christmas season and ushered in Epiphany season or Epiphanytide, which would last until February 2 or the start of the pre-Lenten preparations, whichever came sooner. Epiphanytide continued the Christmas spirit and was in many ways an extension of Christmastide.
Traditionally, the Feast of the Epiphany was marked with great feasting. A popular custom, still observed in some areas, is the Epiphany cake, which has a bean or a baby Jesus figure hidden in it. As the slices are passed around, whoever finds the hidden item becomes king or queen for the day. The Epiphany cake is a fun custom to bring back, especially if you have children in the home.
January 6 was also the traditional gift-giving holiday, rather than Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, in memory of the presents of the Magic. Perhaps we could save some of the Christmas gifts and give them on Epiphany instead. Or if you were late in giving someone a gift for Christmas, you could make up for it with an Epiphany gift.
The Feast of the Epiphany is the traditional time for the blessing of homes. On this day, chalk blessed by a priest is used to write the following on the doorpost of the main entrance to the home: "20 + C + M + B + [year]." "20" stands for the first two digits of the year in question and "year" indicates the last two. The letters signify the initials of the Magi and also the acronym for the phrase "Christus mansionem benedicat," which means "May Christ bless this dwelling place." After the chalk inscription is made, the family prays a blessing over the home, asking for the outpouring of the grace of Christ for the coming year.
As we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, let us also bless our homes. Let us invite Christ to be the King of our homes and of our entire lives. Let us prostrate ourselves before Christ, as the Magi had done, recognizing him as the true ruler of the universe.
Note: For the text of a Catholic Epiphany blessings, please see the USCCB website. Other Epiphany blessings texts are also availale online.
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The readings for The Epiphany of the Lord, Cycle C, are:
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13
Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
Matthew 2:1-12
The full text can be found at the USCCB website.
Photo Credit: The Adoration of the Magi by Edward Burne-Jones from Wikimedia Commons.
