| Epiphany Our Lord made Manifest! |
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| The festival of Epiphany (and the season which follows it) comes immediately after the 12-day season of Christmas. Epiphany is a season in which rejoice in knowing that the Light of the World has been revealed. The word "Epiphany" comes from a Greek word which means "appearance." When the Wise Men (magi) followed the star to Bethlehem and found the King of the Jews, then Jesus' divinity was revealed (made manifest) to the world, to Gentiles as well as Jews. |
| The Gospel of Luke also tells us that his parents Mary and Joseph took him to the temple in Jerusalem to be circumcised when he was eight days old, and that they took him again to be consecrated to the Lord at forty days (Luke 2:21-24). Presumably, the visit from the Magi would have been sometime between the forty day consecration and the flight to Egypt. It was while at the temple that Simeon) took Jesus into his arms (see icon at right) and said "Lord, not you let me depart in peace, according to your Word. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all people, a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel." We celebrate the weeks of Epiphany as one of light and rejoicing.... Jesus Christ made manifest! |
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| The account of the Visit of the Wise Men or Magi is found in Matthew 2:10. There is no mention of the number of Wise Men in this group. There is mention, however, of three gifts- gold, incense, and myrrh - the basis for the popularity of the number of visitors being three. These Wise Men gave gifts to Jesus, for he was born King of the Jews... born to be Prophet, Priest, and King... more than worthy of of our sacrifice and praise. |