Epiphany

The celebration of Christ’s manifestation to the world, Epiphany commemorates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus. From the Greek “epiphaneia” (manifestation or appearance), it celebrates God revealed in human form and made known to the nations. In Eastern Orthodoxy, it primarily commemorates Jesus’s baptism when the Trinity was revealed.

Meaning and Themes

What is “Epiphany”?

Greek: ἐπιφάνεια (epiphaneia) = manifestation, appearance, revelation

Theological Significance:

• God revealing Himself
• Christ made manifest to world
• Divine breaking into human experience
• Light shining in darkness

Triple Manifestation (Western Tradition)

Three Events Celebrated:

1. Magi’s Visit (primary): Gentiles worship Christ
2. Jesus’s Baptism: Father’s voice, Spirit’s descent
3. Wedding at Cana: First miracle, glory revealed

Theme: Christ revealed as God in different ways

Theophany (Eastern Tradition)

Focus: Jesus’s Baptism

• Trinity manifested: Father speaks, Spirit descends as dove, Son baptized
• “This is my beloved Son” (Matt. 3:17)
• Great Blessing of Waters ceremony
• Baptismal renewal

The Visit of the Magi

Matthew’s Account (2:1-12)

The Wise Men:

• From “the East” (Persia, Babylon, Arabia?)
• Followed star
• Seeking “King of the Jews”
• Non-Jewish seekers

The Journey:

• Stopped in Jerusalem, met Herod
• Star led to Bethlehem
• Found child with Mary
• Worshiped and presented gifts

The Gifts:

• Gold: Kingship, royalty
• Frankincense: Deity, priesthood, worship
• Myrrh: Suffering, death, burial

Warned in Dream:

• Don’t return to Herod
• Went home another way

Who Were the Magi?

Historical Speculation:

• Persian priests or astrologers
• Learned men, scholars
• Zoroastrian priests possibly
• Read heavens for signs

Tradition Developed:

• Named: Caspar, Melchior, Balthazar (medieval)
• Three (assumed from three gifts; number not specified)
• Kings (medieval elaboration)
• Representing three continents and races (later tradition)

Biblical Reality:

• Number unknown
• Not kings (Greek: magoi = magi, wise men)
• Gentiles seeking Jewish Messiah
• First non-Jews to worship Christ

Theological Significance

Light to the Gentiles:

• Jews (shepherds) and Gentiles (magi) both worship
• Gospel for all nations foreshadowed
• “I will make you a light for the Gentiles” (Isaiah 49:6)

Fulfillment of Prophecy:

• Isaiah 60:3: “Nations will come to your light”
• Psalm 72:10: “May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores bring tribute”
• Balaam’s prophecy: “A star will come out of Jacob” (Num. 24:17)

Historical Development

Early Church

Originally Most Important:

• Celebrated before December 25 Christmas
• Eastern emphasis on baptism
• Western emphasis on magi
• January 6 very ancient

Feast of Lights:

• Christ as Light of World
• Candles and illuminations
• Baptisms performed

East-West Divergence

Eastern Orthodox:

• Theophany (baptism) primary
• Great Blessing of Waters
• Trinity revealed
• Less focus on magi

Western Catholic/Protestant:

• Magi visit primary
• Gentile inclusion emphasized
• Concludes Christmas season
• Begins Epiphany season (until Lent)

Observances and Customs

House Blessing

Chalking the Door:

• 20+C+M+B+25 (for 2025)
• C M B: Caspar, Melchior, Balthazar (tradition)
• Or: Christus Mansionem Benedicat (Christ bless this house)
• + symbols: Crosses
• Year: Current year

Prayer: Priest or family blesses home with holy water and prayer

Purpose:

• Protection and blessing for year
• Welcoming Christ
• Remembering magi’s visit

King Cake

Galette des Rois (France):

• Puff pastry cake with almond filling
• Hidden bean or figurine
• Finder becomes “king/queen” for day
• Wears paper crown

Rosca de Reyes (Spain, Latin America):

• Sweet bread ring
• Candied fruit decorations
• Hidden baby Jesus figurine
• Finder hosts party on Candlemas (Feb. 2)

New Orleans King Cake:

• Cinnamon roll style
• Purple, green, gold icing (Mardi Gras colors)
• Eaten from Epiphany through Mardi Gras

Gift-Giving

Three Kings Day Gifts (Spain, Latin America):

• Children receive gifts on January 6 (not Dec. 25)
• Leave shoes out for magi
• Magi bring gifts (not Santa)
• Parades with three kings on camels

Straw for Camels:

• Children leave grass/straw for magi’s camels
• Similar to cookies for Santa
• Participation in story

Blessing of Waters (Orthodox)

Great Theophany:

• Priest blesses water
• Often at rivers, lakes, seas
• Commemorating Jesus’s baptism in Jordan
• People may plunge into icy water
• Take blessed water home

Symbolism:

• Baptismal renewal
• Cleansing and sanctification
• Holy Spirit’s presence
• Creation blessed

Liturgical Celebration

Western Liturgy

Scripture Readings:

• Isaiah 60:1-6: “Arise, shine, for your light has come”
• Ephesians 3:1-12: Mystery revealed to Gentiles
• Matthew 2:1-12: Magi visit

Themes:

• Light and revelation
• Universal salvation
• Christ for all nations
• Mission to world

“We Three Kings”: Classic Epiphany carol

Orthodox Theophany

Divine Liturgy:

• Baptism accounts read
• Blessing of waters
• Processions to water
• Three-fold immersion of cross in water

Hymns:

• “When You, O Lord, were baptized in the Jordan…”
• Troparion of Theophany

Epiphany Season

Western Church:

• Begins January 6
• Continues until Ash Wednesday/Lent
• “Ordinary Time” in Catholic calendar
• Green liturgical color
• Focus on Jesus’s ministry and teaching
• Sundays after Epiphany

Readings: Jesus’s early ministry, miracles, teachings

Modern Observance

Declining Recognition

Western Culture:

• Less known than Christmas or Easter
• Decorations come down before Epiphany
• Liturgical churches maintain observance
• Cultural disconnect

Growing Interest

Liturgical Renewal:

• Recovering full Christmas season (12 days)
• Epiphany celebrations
• House blessings popular
• Chalking doors spreading

Hispanic Communities:

• Día de los Reyes major celebration
• Parades and festivals
• Cultural pride
• Intergenerational tradition

The Message of Epiphany

Epiphany declares: God’s salvation is for all people. The magi—Gentiles, foreigners, outsiders—were first to worship. The message: no one is excluded from Christ’s light.

The star that guided the wise men still guides. Those who seek find. Those who journey arrive. Those who offer their best gifts discover the King of Kings.

The three gifts symbolize Christ’s identity:

• Gold for the King
• Frankincense for God
• Myrrh for the suffering Savior who would die

All three together: Jesus is Royal, Divine, and Sacrificial—King, God, and Redeemer.

And the magi went home “another way”—encountering Christ changes the path. You cannot meet God and stay the same.

Epiphany reminds us: Christ’s light shines for all nations. The Gospel crosses every boundary—racial, ethnic, cultural, social. The baby in the manger is Lord of all.

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” — Isaiah 60:1

The wise still seek Him. And those who seek still find.