THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY
Celebrating the Revelation of God to Humanity
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hile “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is one of the peoples in search of salvation. most popular and widely recorded Christmas On the Feast of the Epiphany in 2007, Pope carols in America and Europe, its lyrics are rarely Benedict XVI acknowledged that this celebration recognized as referring to the 12 days that stretch from elucidates not only man’s pilgrimage towards God, Christmas Day on Dec. 25 until the glorious Feast of but also God’s pilgrimage towards man in the person the Epiphany. of Jesus Christ. He spoke of the glorious incarnation For centuries, we as Catholics with these words: “It was out of celebrated this feast as the love that He made Himself history On the Feast of the commemoration of the coming in our history.” Epiphany, we come to of the Magi on Jan. 6, but the On the Feast of the Epiphany, decision was made a number of therefore, we come to realize that realize that we are all years ago (at least in the United on a pilgrimage towards we are all on a pilgrimage towards States) to celebrate Epiphany on Christ, the source of salvation. Christ, the source the Sunday that falls between This pilgrimage is unique to each Jan. 2 and Jan. 8. and every man, but results in a of salvation. This The Feast of the Epiphany, universal and dynamic experience pilgrimage is unique to which originated in the Eastern — a constant “growing closer” each and everyone, but Church, marks the end of between God and man. It is for results in a universal the Christmas season and this opportunity that we rejoice! is intended to celebrate the In the words of Pope Benedict and dynamic experience revelation of God to mankind in XVI: “Happy are those who, while — a constant “growing human form through the person possessing the truth, search more closer” between God of Jesus. The word “epiphany” earnestly for it in order to renew is taken from a Greek word it, deepen it and transmit it to and His people. It is for meaning “appearance” or others. Happy also are those who, this opportunity that “manifestation,” and finds its not having found it, are working we rejoice! earliest reference as a Christian toward it with a sincere heart. May feast in the fourth century. they seek the light of tomorrow But exactly which “manifestation” of Christ Jesus with the light of today until they reach the fullness of do we recognize on the Feast of the Epiphany? These light.” three men, traditionally named Caspar, Melchior and Now when asked: “What occurs on the 12th day Balthasar, travel in haste towards the Christ Child and of Christmas?” we can respond with joyful certitude: remain an undying testimony to the long pilgrimage of “Epiphany!”
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