Things You Need to Know About Epiphany

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On January 6, many believers celebrate the feast of “Epiphany” an ancient church festival celebrating the mysterious visit of the magi to the Christ Child (Matthew 2:1-12). Epiphany is also called “Three Kings’ Day” and “Twelfth Day” – the latter name because January 6 is twelve days after Christmas. The three men – named Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar – followed the star of Bethlehem to meet the baby Jesus. According to Matthew 2:11, they offered symbolic gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. It is celebrated mainly in Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican and other liturgical churches. The word epiphany means “manifestation” or “revelation.” The holiday celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, represented by the magi. The ancient Christian feast day is also a significant celebration of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, as well as a more general celebration of His birth. The six Sundays following Epiphany are known as the time of manifestation. Who were the magi? What led them to visit Jesus? And what lessons can we draw from them? Here are five things you need to know about Epiphany.

Why the Magi Came to See Jesus

The magi had material of a prophetic nature that allowed them to identify the birth of the new “king of the Jews” astronomically. The magi would have followed the patterns of the stars religiously. They would have also probably been very rich and held high esteem in their own society and by people who weren’t from their country or religion. Some have suggested that they got it from an eastern Jewish community, such as the one in Babylon. They may have been especially motivated to come see this king of the Jews since there was an expectation at the time that a universal ruler would shortly come from Israel. They likely came from an area which is now in either Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia or Yemen. Although they are often called the ‘Three Kings,’ the Bible does not say how many there were, or that they were kings.

Why the Magi Went to Herod

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The magi likely went to Herod because they assumed the newborn king would be the son of Hero – the current “king of the Jews.” This, of course, played into Herod’s paranoia for his throne and led to the slaughter of the innocents. When word reached Herod that the wise men were looking for this new king, he sent for them and urged them to find the child so he could worship him too. But Herod was lying. His real goal was to destroy the child, fearing illogically that in time, Jesus would take over his throne. Historians tell us that Herod was a cruel, power-hungry ruler who destroyed anyone who he feared was threatening his power by trying to topple him from his throne. He even went as far as killing members of his own family because he thought they were plotting against him. God warned the wise men of Herod’s plot in a dream, so they found Jesus and gave him gifts and did not return to Herod. After Herod realized they had evaded him, he ordered the death of every child in Bethlehem below the age of two.

What Was the Star?

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It is hard to know. Some question whether the star was a natural phenomenon at all, pointing out that it seems to lead the magi to Jerusalem, disappear, and then reappear and hover over the house in Bethlehem. But this isn’t what Matthew says. He does not say that the star led them to Jerusalem. They merely report that they had seen the new king’s star “in the east” which is why they came to Jerusalem. The Bible says, “When they had heard the kind they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was” (Matthew 2:0). This does not necessarily mean that the star appeared to move in the sky in a way that stars don’t ordinarily/ Various proposals have been made, including for rare astronomical phenomena like the conjunction of certain planets in certain constellations, or supernovas.

It Is One of the Oldest Christian Feasts

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Epiphany is one of the oldest Christian feasts. It was celebrated since the end of the second century before the Christmas holiday was established. It is also called Theophany which means manifestation of God, especially by Eastern Christians. Epiphany also refers to the church season that follows the day. It commemorates the first two occasions on which Jesus’ divinity, according to Christian belief, was manifested: when the three kings visited infant Jesus in Bethlehem, and when John the Baptist baptized him in the River Jordan. The Roman Catholic and Protestant churches emphasize the visit of the Magi when they celebrate Epiphany. The Eastern Orthodox churches focus on Jesus’ baptism.

Many Traditions Surround Epiphany Celebrations

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These Epiphany celebrations vary across the world from culture to culture. Customs include the Star Singers – children dressed as kings and holding up a large star, singing carols from house to house; collecting money for charity; and the plundering and burning of Christmas trees. In the French Catholic culture, Epiphany marks the beginning of Mardi Gras, as “kind cakes” are baked and served. In Mexico, Epiphany is known as Dia de los Reyes. Crowds gather to taste the Rosca de Reyes – Kings’ bread. In other countries, a Jesus figurine is hidden in the bread. Other traditions include prayers, some offered to Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar; the blessing of holy water, the burning of blessed herbs; and the offering of gold, frankincense and myrrh.