EPIPHANY
The Feast of Epiphany
The word "Epiphany" means manifestation or awakening. It is the mystery of Christmas, the manifestation of Christ to the world, which is continued at the feast of the Epiphany until January 13. But it is no longer only to the Jews that He is shown; in the person of the three Wise Men it is to all peoples that he stands revealed as the light of the Nations.
Isaias' prophetic vision is thus fulfilled - the Glory of the Lord has risen upon Jerusalem and from all sides and many are those who hasten towards the Church, the Holy City, to fall in worship before Him to comes to reign over the whole world.
The three Kings' gifts are symbolic of our own - of those on the Altar, in the first place, of Christ Himself whom the Church offers to God the Father and of Whom the Gold, the Frankincense and the Myrrh were but the symbol. In the next place, of our good works which, too, are symbolized by the gifts offered to the Holy Child who is at once, God (incense), King (Gold), and, like us, man, subject to death (Myrrh).
Behold, the Lord, the ruler is come; and the Kingdom is in His hand, and power, and dominion. The Kings of Tharsis and the Isles shall offer gifts; the Kings of Arabia and Saba shall bring tribute; all the Kings shall pay Him homage, all the Nations shall serve Him. (Ps. 71, 10-11).
"We have seen His star in the East; and have come with gifts to worship the Lord. (Matth. 2,2).
