Visit of the Magi
Today is the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. The official meaning of Epiphany is the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as presented by the Magi or the Three Kings. In today's context, one experiences an epiphany when all of a sudden someone comes to realize something that he or she just experienced. This manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ is represented by the Magi because they came from the east and were considered as wise men or Kings in their own lands, yet they recognized the baby Jesus as a king!
The Magi followed the Star of David from their own lands and traveled in their caravans across the desert to follow the star, which vanished as they approached the City of Jerusalem. But as they left Jerusalem, the star once more shone brightly and led them to the cave in Bethlehem where they saw a child in swaddling clothes. They prostrated themselves before the Holy Child to the amazement of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph. Today's gospel reading comes from Matt.2: 1-12.
"2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel."
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way."
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Ever since we were children Christmas for us was a season of gift giving, mostly us kids getting a lot of gifts from our parents, relatives and ninongs and ninangs. But little do we Christians realize that the reason why Christmas is the season of gift giving is due to the fact that our Creator, God the Father gave us his only begotten son our, Lord Jesus Christ, to be born into the Holy Family to be one like us except in sin and to save humankind!
As our Lord Jesus Christ himself told Nicodemus in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This precious gift from God himself happened on the birth of Christ so that all those who have sinned have a chance at life eternal.
That the Holy Child is considered a king came from the mouths of the Magi who came from the east and even told King Herod of his birth. And when they saw the child they prostrated and worshiped him and gave him three gifts. First of the gifts was gold which is the symbol of the kingship of Christ here on earth and second was frankincense which symbolizes his divinity and lastly myrrh, which is an embalming oil used for the dead, which symbolizes that Christ would die to save the human race.
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