The Feast of the Epiphany

The feast of the Epiphany is a time to recall the visit of the astrologers from the East, Gentiles no less, bearing gifts and praising the Jewish infant who would prove to be the long-awaited Messiah. 

The story of the three wise men’s visit, as depicted in the Gospel of St. Matthew, is filled with high drama and twists.  It features long journeys, guiding stars, ominous danger, holy dreams, great escapes, and, of course, a threatened baby. 

“Epiphany,” a Greek word meaning “to make manifest,” was given to a specific moment in time when three wise men, the first Gentiles, would see the Savior of the world in the flesh.

We hear this story only once a year, yet it is so pregnant with symbolism that most people innately sense its importance, because the attempt to thwart the king’s visit is an act of evil forces to squelch the truth. For anyone seeking the truth, it is uncanny how similar our story is to theirs.

The Scripture tells us that our visitors from the East were Magi, which was a term referring to “one skilled in knowledge of the occult.”  At the time of Jesus’ birth, it was believed that when a significant person was to be born, the skies would herald the occasion.  It was also expected and thought that signs in the heavens would accompany the birth of a king.  Nature would be caught up in the significance of it all. 

Tradition has also called these men astrologers, or kings, but in reality, it is irrelevant what title we give them. What is important is that they were wise because they sought after the truth.  By following the star, they were following a person’s highest call, to seek the truth.

In 7 B.C., the planets of Jupiter and Venus, and later of Jupiter and Saturn, were observed in alignments different from those commonly observed.  The occurrence was significant enough to lead the wise men to believe that the long-expected ruler would appear in Palestine.  They set out on their journey, following a star, expecting to find a king.  But here is the catch– there was already at that time a king in Palestine. 

The ruling king at the time was Herod.  A man who was so fearful and afraid that he had murdered his wife, two of her sons, and even his own eldest son, just in case they might conspire against him.  Herod wanted to kill the infant and manipulated the wise men into his scheme.

After the visit with Herod, they found the infant and offered their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  Gold was given to recognize Jesus’ kingship; frankincense was used in the temple worship by priests; and myrrh was used to embalm the dead.  King, High Priest, and Redeemer– the gifts foretold Jesus’ nature and mission.

And then, a holy dream which instructed the wise men to go back from whence they came by a different route.  Herod’s plans were ultimately thwarted, even though he had the blood of many innocent children already on his hands. Jesus would not be one of them.  Good outlasted the power of evil; light crushed the emptiness of darkness. 

The high drama of this story is the drama that every person encounters who seeks the truth.  Indeed, the journey can be long, but along the way, many guiding stars (God’s grace and our opportunities) direct us, almost in a fantastic way, to His truth. Sadly, you will encounter unscrupulous individuals who will try to dissuade you from seeking the truth or manipulate you to do their bidding of evil. All will happen, but your resolve for the truth will only be outmatched by God’s help given to you throughout your journey.  

Try not to think , the Magi story or the “Epiphany” is only the story of the three wise men. It is the story of every person who seeks out the truth in their own life.  The journey, like that of the kings, will not be without some challenges, but rest assured, the “Epiphany,” or manifestation of God in Jesus Christ, will always be worth the effort.