Merry Christmas!
This season is about the peace of Christ and how we should allow this same peace to enter into our life and transform us. Epiphany is the celebration of the magi and their travel to do homage to the Christ child. In the context of their trip they came to acknowledge the peace of Christ and thus brought this same peace back with them when they returned to their place of origin. From their encounter with Christ they were left transformed as we to ought to be transformed when we come to encounter Christ.
The magi brought with them three gifts. That of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. To these gifts is attributed many different meanings. Most popular of these theories attributes: Gold as a gift that was made in order to acknowledge that this child was truly a King. Frankincense which was offered in order to acknowledge that this child was God for it was incense which was burned in the presence of God within the temple. Finally, the gift of myrrh which was brought in order to symbolize death for this was used in preparing a body following death.
Marco Pollo writes a legend concerning these magi which is found in the diary of his travels. In it he writes that each of these gifts were brought in order to see if this child was a king, God, or a physician. Whichever gift the child took would prove to them which He was, but to their astonishment He took all three gifts as a proclamation to the world that He is God, a King, and a physician. Once He took these three gifts He then handed them a box which they would later open to reveal a stone. This stone was symbolic of the fact that their faith should be found as firm as a rock. Not understanding the meaning of this gift they flung it into a well from which a flame blazed up which proclaimed the light of Christ which must be brought into the world.
Some countries hold onto the tradition of having their home blessed during the Epiphany season. Above the door to their home is written 20+C+M+B+16 with chalk. The CMB is symbolic of the names of the magi (Casper, Melchoir, and Balthazar). Also, Christus Benedicat Mansionem, Christ bless this house. Thus whenever anyone walks through the door of the house they receive the blessing of Christ and are to live the peace of Christ within their own home and to take it with them whenever they head out into the world. This is the same discovery which was made by the magi for from their encounter with Christ they were forever left changed as they came to acknowledge Christ as king, God, and physician of souls.
As we come to this same revelation may we be changed by what we come to encounter through Christ. Our faith must be firm because it has been placed upon the firm foundation that is Christ. This is a foundation which will not falter no matter how tough the path which lies ahead may seem to be. From Christ springs up a great flame which brings light into the darkness that exists within this world. May we not only encounter and trust in this great light, but may we also be willing to take this light with us in order that others may be drawn to Christ and the peace which He brings into this world.
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