The twelve days of Christmas have traditionally ended with the Feast of Epiphany also called “The Adoration of the Magi” on the 6th of January. It is also known as the day of the Three Kings (or wise men/magi). It is the day when the the three wise men arrived in Bethlehem and gave their gifts to the baby Jesus.
In many homes the Christmas tree is taken down and in some areas, a big bonfire is built. On the evening before Three Kings, traditionally, there would be prayers. Blessed dried herbs would be burnt and their aromatic smell would fill the house. The master of the house would then write with chalk C + M + B and the year above the house and barn door. C + M + B has traditionally been translated with Caspar/Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar (the name of the three wise men), however, according to later Latin traditions it stood for “Christus Mansionem Benedictat” (Christ bless this home).
This is the time when we remember that God’s light is revealed to all people. Epiphany is a Greek term that means “manifestation” or “appearance.” God’s love for all the world is revealed or manifested in Christ Jesus. It is only in Matthew’s Gospel (2:1-12) that we learn of the visit of the wise men from the east who followed a star in search of “the child born to be king of the Jews.”
The gifts given to Christ were ones not available to commoners – gold, frankincense oil (incense for priestly duties in the temple) and the resin myrrh (herb for preserving dead bodies). The gifts are symbolic of Jesus’s importance. The gold represents his royal standing, frankincense his divine birth and myrrh his mortality.
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” . . .
After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:1–2, 9–11
The wise men followed the bright star while in search for the truth. In the same way, we should also let our light shine that others may follow and find the true King.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5: 14-16
#threekings, #Christmas, #lightoftheworld