Epiphany

It is the 12th day of Christmas and today we celebrate the solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.

Epiphany is from the Greek word for a divine “manifestation” or “revelation”. The Church’s liturgy for the feast, especially in its antiphons for Vespers, reflect the tradition that Epiphany was thought to be the day not only when the Magi came to adore Christ, but also the same day years later when Jesus changed water into wine at Cana, and also when He was baptized by St. John at the Jordan. — Fr. John Zuhlsdorf WDTPRS

If the Feast of Epiphany is to be fully understood as the Church sees it, it will have to be viewed from two aspects: that of God who manifested Himself to man, and that of man, typified in the Magi, who responded with wholehearted faith and love. It is, therefore, a day of faith and grace on which no other prayer ought to take precedence over that petition of the Our Father, “Thy Kingdom Come!” — Excerpted from With Christ Through the Year, Rev. Bernard Strasser, O.S.B.

A blessed 12th day of Christmas to all!