January 4, 2015 SOLEMNITY of THE EPIPHANY of the LORD January 6 or SUNDAY AFTER JANUARY 1 FIRST SUNDAY of the YEAR The feast of the Epiphany, celebrated on January 6, is one of the oldest in the Church and one of the greatest in the ecclesiastical year. The word Epiphany is a Greek term which signifies a manifestation or revelation. During the first three centuries the manifestation of Christ to the chosen people and His manifestation as the Savior of all races and nations, were celebrated on the same day, but since the 4th century, December 25 has been the feast of the Nativity, or Christmas, and January 6 the feast of the Epiphany, or the feast of the Three Wise Men. It is so called because the Gospel of the day tells us that Magi (now considered to be astrologers) came from the East to Jerusalem saying: Where is the newborn King of the Jews? We saw His star at its rising and have come pay Him homage. They may have come from Arabia, Chaldea or Persia. Tradition says that there were three, Gaspar, Melchor and Balthasar. The prophecy that a star shall rise out of Jacob, and the teaching of the prophet Daniel at Babylon. Had spread throughtout the East. When the mysterious star appeared, learned men recognized it as a sign that the coming of the Messiah was at hand and that He would be born in Judea. Following the star they reached Bethelehem. On entering the house, they found the child with Mary, His Mother. They prostated themselves and did Him homage. Then they opened their coffers and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. PRAYER. God, this day You revealed Your only Son to the Gentiles. Grant that we who already know You by faith may one day contemplate Your sublime beauty. AMEN.†
Posted on: Sun, 04 Jan 2015 02:24:54 +0000
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