The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord: Liturgy of the Word — Is. 60:1-6; Ps. 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13; Ephes. 3:2-3, 5-6; Mt. 2:1:12.
Some Notes on the Epiphany — 1. From the Greek word, “epipháneia,” manifestation, Epiphany commemorates the manifestation of Jesus Christ, Son of God, to the Magi. The manifestation of his divinity would also occur later, more explicitly, at his Baptism in the Jordan River and at the wedding in Cana.
The Magi appear solely in the Gospel of Matthew (today’s Gospel). Their names, origins, and exact number are unmentioned. In Western Christianity, they are usually assumed as three, corresponding with the three gifts. They were given the names Gaspar, Melchior, and Baltazar, names that first appeared in the 8th century.
An Armenian tradition identify the Magi “from the east,” as Baltazar of Arabia, Melchior of Persia, and Gaspar of India. Many Chinese Christians believe that one of the magi came from China.
2. Of their gifts, gold symbolizes kingship; frankincense symbolizes deity; and myrrh symbolizes death or mortality. These are alluded to in the popular Christmas carol, “We three kings.”
In Eastern Christianity, especially the Syriac churches, they were often 12 in number. Some biblical translations describe them as astrologers, because they saw and observed the Star of Bethlehem. By the 3rd century, they were increasingly identified as kings, conforming to the Old Testament prophecies that the Messiah would be visited by kings (see Is. 60:3; Ps. 68:29; Ps. 72:10). The single biblical account in Mt. 2:1-12, simply presents an event at an unspecified point after Jesus’ birth in which an unnumbered party of unnamed “wise men” (“magoi”) visits him in a house, not a stable.
3. Epiphany is also known as “Theophany” in Eastern Christian tradition. Such is how St. Gregory of Nazianzus named the event. It is one of the 3 principal and oldest festivals of the Church, the other 2 being Easter and Christmas. It is also known as Three Kings Day. The festival originated in the Eastern Church. The earliest reference to Epiphany as a Christian feast was in 361 AD. At first it included a commemoration of Christ’s birth. In Rome, by 354 AD Christ’s birth was being celebrated on Dec. 25. Later Rome also began celebrating Epiphany on Jan. 6.
4. In the West, Epiphany celebrates the visit to the Infant Jesus by the Magi. The Magi represent the non-Jewish peoples of the world. Hence this is considered “a revelation to the Gentiles.” Jesus reveals himself as God to the whole world. The Jewish Christ came also to save the Gentiles. In the East, Epiphany primarily commemorates the baptism of Jesus and celebrates the revelation that the Incarnate Christ was both fully God and fully Man.
5. In the West, the celebration of Christmas was set on December 25. January 6 was reserved for the Epiphany, which also included Jesus’ manifestation at his Baptism and at the wedding feast of Cana. The evening preceding Epiphany is called the Twelfth Night, and the time between Dec. 25 to Jan. 6 is known as the 12 Days of Christmas. Thus we have the Christmas carol, “The 12 Days of Christmas.”
Epiphany is traditionally known as gift-giving day. The traditional date for the Feast is January 6. However, since 1970 the celebration has been held on the Sunday after Jan. 1, this year 2025, on Jan. 5. Thus, the Feast of the Epiphany is part of Christmas time, and it is traditional to take down Christmas trees and Belens at Epiphany. But in some European countries it is common to write GMB (Gaspar, Melchior, Baltazar) above the entrance door of the house for protection.
6. 1st Reading, Is. 60:1-6 — This passage is famous for its connection to Epiphany. “Arise! Shine, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you” (v. 1). “Nations shall walk by your light, kings by the radiance of your dawning” (v. 3). “All from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense and heralding the praises of the Lord” (v. 6).
7. Resp. Ps. 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 — The Psalm speaks of a king who governs the people with justice (v. 2) and defends the poor and the oppressed (vv. 4, 12-13). To him kings offer tribute and gifts; all kings bow before him (v. 11). These allude to the infant Jesus, honored as God and King by the Magi.
8. 2nd Reading, Ephes. 3:2-3, 5-6 — Epiphany manifests Jesus to the Gentiles, all the nations of the world, represented by the Magi. On his part, Paul speaks of the unity of Gentiles and Jews. He speaks of the mystery revealed to him: that the Gentiles and the Jews are now “co-heirs, members of the same body and co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (vv. 3-6).
9. Gospel, Mt. 2:1-12 — The narrative of the Magi, being led by a star to the home of Jesus, the “new King of Israel.” This news troubles King Herod (v. 3). The magi follow the star which leads them to the “house” where they see “the child with Mary his mother.” They prostrate themselves in veneration and give the child Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh” (vv. 9-11).
10. Today’s Liturgy of the Word revolves around the theme of the divinity, royalty, and human mortality of the child Jesus, Son of God, son of Mary and Joseph. The human and divine natures of the Child is a revelation to humankind, a revelation that calls our hearts to conversion and adoration. The Child Jesus reveals himself to us in many ways — in the Scriptures, in the Eucharist, in the glories of Creation, in the faces of the poor and downtrodden. These are our Star of Bethlehem. As the Magi prostrated themselves and offered their treasures, so we, too, adore the Child Jesus and offer the treasure of our hearts to him. May we strive daily to keep the face of Jesus ever fresh in our hearts and to commit ourselves to actions of charity for others.
11. Prayer — O God, on this day you revealed your Only Begotten Son to the nations by the guidance of a star. In your mercy, O Lord, grant that we who know you already by faith, may be brought to behold the beauty of your sublime glory. We ask this, through Christ, your Son and our Lord. Amen. (Today’s Collect). Happy Three Kings! Prayers, best wishes, God bless!
[Cardinal Orlando B. Quevedo, OMI, served as President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines from 1999 to 2003 and one of the organizers of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conference (FABC). He was Bishop of Kidapawan from 1983 to 1986, Archbishop of Nueva Segovia from 1986 to 1998, and Archbishop of Cotabato from 1998 until 2019. Quevedo is now Archbishop Emeritus of Cotabato.]
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