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The Epiphany is a Christian feast celebrating the manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus. We recall the journey of the magi, the three wise men, in search of the newborn King. We reflect on how faithful we have been in giving Jesus the gift of ourselves. We seek forgiveness for the ways in which we have withheld our love from him and from others, for the times when we refuse to give the gifts of attention and concern, compassion and understanding.
Jesus the Messiah is manifested not to King Herod but to the magi, who present the newborn king of the Jews with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The irony is those who should have come to acknowledge him did not, and those who were not expected came from afar.
When the magi set out on their journey, they had no idea they would travel over a thousand miles and that it would require them to be on the road for about three months. Likewise they set no limits on how far or how long they would travel. We too set out together during each new Advent and Christmas season to find Jesus in ways we have not yet experienced.
The three kings, were most likely Persian astrologers, who followed a star in search of the newborn King. Although the three gifts suggest that there were only three wise men, most likely there was a caravan of seekers, who were also ready to go the distance to find the baby Jesus.
The magi followed a star in which they recognized a divine light that would guide them to the newborn King. Today Isaiah announces “Your Light Has Come” rise to your feet and witness the wonderful transformation God has in store for us. Christ is that light. This is no ordinary light, powered by fuel, electricity or battery. No, it is the “Divine Light of Christ” the “Glory of God” in the midst of a world where darkness and heavy clouds still prevails. Have you ever experienced a power failure, where the room you are in turns pitch-black, there is total darkness? And without some means of light, it is difficult to find our way out of this darkness. To better understand the “Divine light of Christ” think of the darkness as sin, and Jesus as the light that delivers us from the darkness of sin, guiding us on our earthly journey to heaven.
We all need that light to guide us. Each of us feels that need and seeks that symbolic star, either in a wise person, a scripture reading, a memorable dream, an inspired story, or in steady prayer for guidance. Like the magi, we to, have to commit ourselves wholeheartedly in following only those stars that the Holy Spirit provides.
Upon finding the child Jesus and his parents, the magi present their most treasured gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and sought nothing in return. Gold was a gift fit for a king. Frankincense and myrrh were a very fragrant incense and oil used in the worship of the Lord in the temple. Frankincense and myrrh were also used at funerals. The symbolism here is not only pointing to Jesus the Messiah as the king of the Jews but also to his future death (Mt 2:9-11).
In these gifts, they saw in each other a reflection of the divine and they gave all that love had to give. Each of us is called upon to give our most treasured gifts of time and attention, care and concern, support and respect to those most in need of them—whether they be our children, those in poor health, our neighbors or strangers, our friends or unjust enemies.
Jesus reveals himself once again today as the one who reigns over all nations and over every heart as the God of love, as the Holy Infant who wishes eternally to be sought after and found. We can’t wait to tell someone about our newborn child, or even our grandchild, because of the great love we have for them. God, the Father seeks the same for his child, Jesus. So, go tell it on the mountains, that Jesus the Christ is born.