January 5, 2025

The Church's name for this day, Epiphany, means "to reveal" or "make visible". The child Jesus is not honored by his own people, but by wise men, strangers from afar. Only Matthew's Gospel tells the story, and pious legends have added details over the centuries. The Jews hoped for a messiah, God's Anointed One, to deliver them from sin and from their enemies. Yet here, God's son is revealed to the Gentiles, people like us who are seeking a savior. We expected Jesus in Advent; we celebrated his birth at Christmas. In this New Year what gifts will we give to him in return? Resolutions often include a decision to work off the extra weight gained from too much celebrating. All well and good, but why not do something extra for those you love and for your community? Show the love of God that is in your heart, or as St. Francis of Assisi is thought to have said, "Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words." As the wise men brought Jesus their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, so the Newborn Savior gifts us with new found faith and hope as he manifests himself to the world.