Feast of the Epiphany

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany, the day the three wisemen came to the Child Christ in Bethlehem. For it was the wisemen - Caspar, Balthasar, and Melchior- that fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy's in Isaiah 60:1-6. Remember, Christmas season is not yet over! In many countries, today is the day gifts are exchanged in families as it was today that the three wisemen brought the gifts to the Child Christ.

But above all, as the Crossroad Initiatives states, it is Jesus that is the important one today. For today was the foreshadowing of the acceptance in Christ for all people. Remember that it was Jesus' own people that would not recognize him as God, rather it was the sinners who knew Him! Today we recall everyone single person in this world is called to Christ. For He died for everyone not just those who knew Him then. " The Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Jesus Christ through the gospel." (Ephesians 3, 5-6) Jesus is who matters!

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: 'And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the child. 

When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage." After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way (Matthew 2:1-12) 

In this the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: 

"Rise up in splendor! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; But upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: 

Your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses. Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, For the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; All from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the LORD" (Isaiah 60:1-6)

Let the star guide you as well! May all of our lives by guided by Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, who dispels all darkness. And let us be as the wisemen were from the East, and offer our abilities to Christ Our Lord.

For Our God, the King of all Creation, humbled Himself and became totally human. He became vulnerable for us! He lay in that manager in the cold of night in rags for us! For this is the love of Christ, that he willingly gave up His life for you!

What would you do if a man where to take your place for death? If that man was tortured, beaten, mocked, and murdered for you, how would you fell? Would you grieve? Would you remember Him? For that was Christ, yet He is Risen! Let us not just believe but follow. For faith and works are essential! "For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so is faith without deeds" (James 2:26).

More information on the Epiphany at Fish Eaters Website