Until changes in the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar in 1970, Epiphany was celebrated on January 6. In countries where the feast remains a holy day of obligation, the date has remained the same, but in the United States and other countries where the feast is not so designated, Epiphany is celebrated on the first Sunday after New Years. In 2010-11, feasts and holidays came quickly, one after another: Christmas, The Holy Family, New Year’s Eve, Mary the Mother of God, Epiphany, and Baptism of Jesus. This “crowded” calendar happens only once every seven years, but when it does, one who tries to celebrate and ponder the feasts can have a difficult time keeping up.
The image of exotic astrologers arriving to worship the baby-king captures the imagination, especially that of children who for over a week have eaten sweets, visited extended family, and played with new toys. Epiphany brought mystery and focus to the end of the holiday season. In our house, the plastic Magi finally completed their journey from across the living room to the manger, and we celebrated with a small party and simple gifts.
The author of the gospel of Matthew, the only one to tell the Magi’s story, was most likely a Jewish-Christian of the first century who was writing for a Jewish audience, showing that Jesus was indeed the Messiah who fulfilled prophecies and the Law. Mt 2, 1-12 includes a reference to Micah 5, 1, citing Bethlehem as the place from which both the Davidic line and the messianic king was to come. Matthew alludes to other passages from the Hebrew Scriptures to paint his picture of the visiting kings offering gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Herod’s response to the Magi’s inquiry into the birth of the “new king” foreshadows Jesus’ eventual rejection by the Jews and acceptance by Gentiles, represented by the Magi.
Observance of the feast began in the Eastern Church, celebrating the manifestation of Jesus to the world highlighting Jesus’ birth, visit of the Magi, his baptism, and even the miracle at Cana. In both East and West, the central focus of the feast is the miracle of the Incarnation.
In some places, the celebration includes using chalk to mark the doorways of homes with the letters C + M + B (for Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar as well as the Latin phrase Christus mansionem benedicat “may Christ bless the house”) followed by the year. This is a tradition some might want to incorporate into their family observance, allowing the children to write on the wall or door lintel.
No matter on what date we celebrate the Epiphany, it is a good time to ponder the ways God’s coming to be with us is manifested to us and through us to the world. Who are the people in our lives who make seeing God and experiencing Divine love easier for us? What places, things, or events, speak to our souls and remind us that we do not travel through life alone? What books, music, art, or plays turn our hearts and eyes toward the Holy One? Do we give these people, places, and experiences place in our lives? In today’s world we can forget to feed our spirits with what nourishes them.
How do we manifest God’s abundant love to others? Do we listen well and companion others as they walk through difficult times? Do we reflect back to people the Divine Spirit we see in them? God graces us all with gifts and talents. Are we using ours to bring life and light into the world?
Many people begin the New Year with a list of resolutions intended to improve the quality of their lives in a variety of ways. This year you might want to use the lens of the Epiphany to consider the year to come: How can I be a part of manifesting the wonder and joy of the Incarnation to others? How can I celebrate the Incarnation shown to me through creation and the lives of others? Happy 2111!