On January 6, the Christian world celebrates what is variously known as the feast of Epiphany or the feast of the three Magi, or Kings. The Gospel of Matthew gives us a peep into it: “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the East came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him’”. King Herod got very perturbed hearing about the birth of another king in the vicinity and by playing a trick tried to kill the future king.
The Gospel further tells us, “After they (the Magi) had heard the king they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him”. This explains the importance of star and why stars appear on houses, churches and Christian institutions as part of all Christmas celebrations. For, it is through the help of the star that appeared in the sky the three Magi could find the newborn King, still a baby.
Officially this feast is known as the feast of Epiphany. The meaning of Epiphany is the “manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles”, different from the Jews, as represented by the Magi. The dictionary also gives the meaning of Epiphany as, “a moment of sudden and great revelation or realisation”. Thus the star seen in the sky pointing to the place where Jesus was born and the visit of the three Magi from distant lands, implies not only that the birth of this child was special with divine sanction, but also that it had a special significance for the whole world.
It is also important to note that there had been prophecies in the Old Testament of the Bible about the way Jesus the messiah would be born, how He would suffer and would be killed in the end. No wonder than that the person of Jesus and his teachings continue to have a universal appeal to all categories of people and for all ages. His message of love and forgiveness can bring much healing and reconciliation among human beings, ridding society of hatred and enmities. A resolution to love and forgive those who hate us could be a good project to be taken up for us all in the New Year. Incidentally with the feast of Epiphany, curtains also come down on all Christmas celebrations.
Father Dominic Emmanuel, a founder-member of Parliament of Religion, can be contacted at frdominic@gmail.com
