Today is the last day of Christmastide, which means that the twelve day season of Christmas is almost over. This also means that tomorrow is the Feast of the Epiphany, the day when the church has historically celebrated the visit of the three wise men to the holy family (this happened not as we popularly imagine at Christmas, but 2-3 years afterwards).
The word epiphany means “an appearance or manifestation, especially of a divine being.” The feast of the Epiphany celebrates the appearance of the Son of God to the world. The visit of the three wise men foreshadowed the fact that Jesus’ life would be concerned not only with Israel (the Jews), but with all people (Gentiles). Basil the Great, a Christian bishop in the fourth century, wrote this about the Epiphany, Stars cross the sky, wise men journey from pagan lands, earth receives its savior in a cave. Let there be no one without a gift to offer; no one without gratitude as we celebrate the salvation of the world, the birthday of the human race. Now it is no longer, “dust you are and to dust you shall return,” but you are joined to heaven and into heaven shall you be taken up.
Epiphany reminds us that like the wise men we can offer Christ gifts. Of course, Christ does not need our gifts, but we show our love for God by giving Christ the gift of our worship and the gift of our obedience. Ultimately, to be a Christian is to imitate Christ Himself, which means that we are to give of ourselves for the salvation of others, whether we are saving them from loneliness, from starvation, or from ignorance of Christ.
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