Epiphany

Epiphany

As the Christmas season draws to a close, we enter the blessed season of Epiphany. Epiphany is one of the church’s most ancient and joyful celebrations, which even predates the celebration of Christmas. Originating in the late third century Egypt (the first Christmas celebration was some forty years later around 336 A.D.), the Feast of the Epiphany was a multi-focus event.

The celebration of Epiphany, which means manifestation or appearance, was just what the word means, the manifestation of Jesus as Messiah of Israel, Son of God, and Savior of the world. The Feast of Epiphany celebrates the adoration of Jesus by the wise men (magi) from the East, Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River, and his first miracle (showing that he was the Messiah) at the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee.

Shortly after the feast of Christmas was initiated (in 336 under Emperor Constantine), the season after Christmas into Epiphany was referred to as the twelve nights. The twelve nights, known as Smoke Nights because they were filled with incense, were nights of special devotion and prayer. Beginning on Christmas Eve, Christians would burn incense each evening, moving through their homes and barns in a ritual of protection and blessing for twelve nights. Each night may have had a special emphasis or focus with opportunities for teaching and devotion.

Prayers for divine protection, guidance, forgiveness, and praising God's light—the manifestation of Jesus, the light that overcomes the darkness—  were filled with Psalms, biblical prophesies and traditional liturgies reflecting universal themes of seeking shelter in darkness and awaiting divine dawn. The eastern churches still celebrate Epiphany this way, with the emphasis on the multi-faceted manifestation of Christ throughout scripture.

For us, Epiphany is all about the Magi or Kings or Wise Men. The three or two or eight (as have been depicted through the centuries) are representatives of the neighboring pagan religions who have come to find a divine manifestation proclaimed by the stars. They first go to Jerusalem to honor the King of the Jews, Herod the Great, who surely must know of this birth or may even be the father. Their journey, dangerous and long, is worth the risks because of the gravity of the event: a king has been born who will be the King of not only Israel, but of all nations.
These sage visitors from around the (then) world carried the story of their devotion—their journey and the child they found— back to their people. Their seeking and finding Jesus means that pagans and people of all religions can discover Jesus and worship him as Son of God and Savior of the world. St. Leo the Great, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, wrote concerning Epiphany,

A promise had been made to the holy Patriarch Abraham in regard to these nations. He was to have a countless progeny, born not from his body but from the seed of faith. Let the full number of the nations now take their place in the family of the patriarchs... let all people adore the Creator of the universe; let God be known, not only in Judaea, but in the whole world” (Sermon 3 in Epiphania Domini, 1: PL 54, 240).

The promise made to Abraham is fulfilled through the womb of Blessed Mary. The birth of Jesus is the immutable plan of God first received by the Magi from the East and made available to all. The Star, once a beacon to the Magi, is supplanted by the light of Christ so clear and strong that all those who search for life and truth can come to contemplate the Savior of the world.

Epiphany is our joyful celebration that God’s will is being done and that all people everywhere are invited into the household of God, in the blessed company of our Lord Jesus Christ.

By His light, in His light,
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Fr. Bill+