Sunday Meditation: Epiphany

 Adoration of the Magi by Murillo

"In choosing to be born for us, God chose to be known by us." 

                                                                                            ~Peter Chrysologus


The Epiphany is one of the three manifestations God makes through His Son, Jesus Christ. The other two being the miracle at the wedding at Cana and the baptism of Jesus. Today the Church in the United States celebrates the Epiphany. (In Orthodox and Eastern Rite Churches this feast is celebrated on January 6th; it is sometimes called Little Christmas.)
While these are the three events the Church recognizes as God manifesting Himself, in each of our own lives we have our individual epiphanies; those seemingly miraculous moments where God chooses to manifest Himself to us personally. I am not speaking of private revelation in the typical sense of that term, but just our own personal God Moments. These moments can range from major conversion experiences to seeing God in another person or a sunset.
However, today my thoughts turn to the Magi who traveled for months following a star and their faith. They brought with them gifts that truly represented who Christ was and is: gold because He was a King, frankincense because He is God, and myrrh because this God and King would die. Their faith in the prophecies kept them going; their faith also enabled them to trust the dream telling them to return home a different way in order to avoid telling Herod of where they found this new born King. These wise men had their faith rewarded; God revealed Himself in the Christ Child, not to three of His chosen people, but to three foreigners. This was a revelation to the Gentiles!
I don't know about you, but I find my faith edified by the Magi. I may not have gold, frankincense or myrrh to give Him, but I do have adoration, praise and sacrifice; I somehow think He would rather receive those from me anyway. I know that if I continue my own journey of faith, God will reward me with epiphanies throughout my life leading to the one that will come at the end when I finally see Him face to face as He truly is.