When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to adore him.”
—Matthew 2:1-2
Today, January 6th, is the traditional date for the feast of the Epiphany. It is still kept today in some places, though here in the U.S. most parishes celebrate it this coming Sunday.
This glorious feast concludes the “Twelve Days of Christmas” and commemorates the coming of the three wise men—St. Melchior, St. Balthasar, and St. Caspar—from the Orient to worship the newborn King.
Detail of Adoration of the Magi by Gentile da Fabriano
We don’t know for sure the exact place they came from or who precisely they were, but the word St. Matthew uses—magos—probably refers to astrologers of the priestly class of Persia (modern-day Iran) who were known for their expertise in star-interpretation.
The gifts they brought were not only precious commodities. Each one carried a deep significance that showed how much the Magi revered the Christ Child, and Who they considered Him to be. Gold represents Christ’s Kingship, frankincense His Divinity, and myrrh—an embalming ointment—the death for which He was destined.
Place the kings at your Nativity set today—their long journey is complete!
Studying the life of Christ, from His Nativity to His Ascension, is an essential tool in the spiritual life. Beyond studying the events of His life, we can take profound steps to imitate Him in all things. The spiritual classic, The Imitation of Christ, is a powerful and moving book filled with prayers and meditations to help us grow closer to Christ. A favorite of many saints, such as St. Therese of Lisieux, this book is a transformative guide on our journey to Heaven! Read like a saint and bring home a copy of this classic today from The Catholic Company!
