Epiphanos

It means "manifestation" in Greek.

Today's Solemnity is the result of an ancient tradition in the church of celebrating the many moments in which Christ revealed more of Himself to his chosen people. The moment he was baptized was an epiphany, the moment he worked his first miracle at Cana, etc. Today we celebrate that moment when the Magi came from the East to do him homage, and Christ's Majesty as a Light to the Nations was first revealed.

They were seeking the King of the Jews, as indicated through celestial signs. They found an infant born in a stable, and they offered him gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Gold befitting royalty; Incense that would perfume the altar of a Deity; and costly Myrrh that would anoint the body of a person entombed with reverential care. These were no ordinary gifts; they foreshadow and proclaim the identity and fate of the Child.

Who were these Magi? What little can be known of these men is not as important as what they tell us: If indeed the Child Jesus was manifestly King of the Jews, the fact that priestly-kings from the East came to do him homage indicates that he was their King too. And if he was their King, then he is manifestly the Savior of us ALL!!!

Catholic Culture's website sheds some light on this holy day:

"In order to strengthen and reinforce this divine manifestation to the Magi, the Church commemorates on this feast two other incidents, both of which strongly testify to the divinity of Christ: His baptism in the Jordan and the first miracle at the marriage feast in Cana. In this way, the Redeemer, whose coming was known imperfectly at Christmas, is made known to the whole world. While the Mass of the feast concentrates entirely on the coming of the Magi and their adoration of their new-found King, the Breviary abounds in references to the two other 'manifestations.' The antiphon for the Magnificat of second Vespers summarizes the threefold significance of the day in words that are unmistakable: 'Three miracles glorify this sacred day: today the star led the Magi to the crib; today at the wedding feast water was changed into wine; today Christ willed that John baptize Him in the Jordan so that He might become our Redeemer, Alleluia.' Thus we have three supernatural interventions: the star that guided the Magi from the East, the wine miraculously brought into being from water, and the voice of the Father ringing out from the heavens, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased' (Mt 3:17). The Epiphany is the high point of Christmas and the fulfillment of Advent. It is the ancient Feast of Christ the King. Its dignity in the liturgy is superior to that of Christmas. If the Feast of Epiphany is to be fully understood as the Church sees it, it will have to be viewed from two aspects: that of God who manifested Himself to man, and that of man, typified in the Magi, who responded with wholehearted faith and love. It is, therefore, a day of faith and grace on which no other prayer ought to take precedence over that petition of the Our Father, 'Thy Kingdom Come!"

I chose to celebrate the Solemnity on Jan.6th, as consistent with ancient custom and the nearly universal practice of dioceses around the world, because this is CatholicLand and not the United States. The US Bishops have opted to move the Solemnity to the nearest Sunday. I find that disconcerting, thought I understand the motives behind the decision.

I grew up celebrating the Epiphany with a Blessing of the House. I'm quite attached to Jan.6th, and prefer to do the Blessing on that day. But in recent years, circumstances have dictated that we do the Blessing on a day when all of us can be home together. This year we did it on Jan.1st, and we invoked Mary's Blessing in addition to the customary prayers.

When we do the Blessing of the House, we journey with the Magi through the whole house, where we ask Christ to be present in the year ahead. We begin at the front door, where strangers and friends will be welcomed as Christ. We proceed from room to room, blessing the places where we sleep, bathe, and prepare food. We carry a candle, a cross, and a bowl of water, singing "O Star of Wonder!" Finally we end up at the front door again, and we make an inscription over it which reads,

20 + C + M + B + 05

which indicates the New Year as well as the initials of the Three Priestly-Kings (magi), whom tradition has named Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. The letters could also stand for Christus Mansionem Benedicat, which means, "Christ bless this house". In either event, the sentiment remains the same; we recognize that in the New Year, as we journey through it, we are called to make Christ manifest in our daily living. We are called to be Christ to one another. We are called to find Christ in all who pass through our door. We are called to seek Christ, as the Magi did.

May the Light and Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all~ Thy Kingdom Come!!!