Liturgy of the Word

• 1st Reading: Is. 60:1-6

• Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13

• 2nd Reading: Ephes. 3:2-3, 5-6

• Gospel: Mt. 2:1-12

Some Notes on the Epiphany — 

1. Meaning of Epiphany

The word "Epiphany" comes from the Greek epipháneia, meaning "manifestation." It commemorates the manifestation of Jesus Christ, Son of God, to the Magi. His divinity was later revealed more explicitly at his Baptism in the Jordan River and at the wedding in Cana.

The Magi appear only in Matthew’s Gospel (today’s Gospel). Their names, origins, and exact number are unspecified. In Western Christianity, they are often assumed to be three, symbolizing the three gifts. Tradition gives them the names Gaspar, Melchior, and Baltazar, which first appeared in the 8th century.

An Armenian tradition identifies the Magi as:

• Baltazar of Arabia

• Melchior of Persia

• Gaspar of India

Some Chinese Christians believe one of the Magi came from China.

2. The Gifts of the Magi

• Gold symbolizes kingship.

• Frankincense symbolizes deity.

• Myrrh symbolizes death or mortality.

These gifts are referenced in the Christmas carol, “We Three Kings.”

In Eastern Christianity, the Magi are often numbered 12. Some translations refer to them as astrologers, as they observed the Star of Bethlehem.

By the 3rd century, they were increasingly identified as kings, aligning with Old Testament prophecies (Is. 60:3; Ps. 68:29; Ps. 72:10).

Matthew’s Gospel (2:1-12) presents the Magi as unnamed wise men (magoi) who visit Jesus at a house, not a stable.

3. Epiphany in Christian Tradition

In Eastern Christianity, Epiphany is also called “Theophany”, a term used by St. Gregory of Nazianzus.

Epiphany is one of the three oldest Christian festivals alongside Easter and Christmas.

• Origin: Celebrated in the Eastern Church as early as 361 AD, originally including Christ’s birth.

• In Rome: By 354 AD, Christmas was celebrated on 25 December, and Epiphany was set on 6 January.