Image: "Adoration of the Magi" by Pieter Fransz de Grebber (1638)
Introduction to Epiphany
Epiphany is largely unheard of, due in part to the secular Christmas season ending the day after Christmas (in a few places, the secular Christmas season ends the day after New Year's Day -- an improvement, for sure, but still insufficient). The Catholic Christmas Season ends soon after the Feast of the Epiphany, which is January 6th. The Feast of the Epiphany is when Catholics around the world celebrate the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child (the Magi are also called the "Three Kings" and the "Three Wise Men").
Epiphany Customs
By custom, many Catholic homes (domestic churches) use blessed chalk to write the following inscription at the top of the main door of the home:
20 + C + M + B + 19
The first two numbers of the year are at the beginning, the second two at the end. The letters "CMB" represent two things: firstly, for the prayer, "Christus Mansionem Benedicat", which is translated, "May Christ bless this dwelling"; secondly, for the names of the Three Wise Men that tradition hands down to us, "Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar". Later, this inscription above the door is to be erased at the Feast of Pentecost.
The Epiphany Painting
The above painting is among my favorites for Epiphany. It is a simple image in that it has no ornate gold or festive patterns in the background, which is rather drab. I am generally a sucker for the ornate or festive or gold patterns when it comes to Christian religious art, so why do I find this particular painting so fascinating?
Tradition hands down to us that the Magi were kings, and we know that kings are regal in appearance with crowns upon their heads; however, in this image the Magi are not wearing their crowns, nor are their crowns upon the ground, indicating that they removed their crowns before even entering the place where the Christ Child was. Thus we know that they acknowledged Christ as King of kings, and in this way, the painting recounts what the Magi themselves recognized by word: "Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East, and are come to adore Him" (St. Matthew 2:2). Later, they conceded to His Kingship by deed: "and falling down, they adored Him" (v. 11). They also placed gold before him, which is a kingly gift; therefore, through this gift also they acknowledged His Kingship.
The Magi were also prophets, because Myrrh was a spice used for burial, indicating their prophecy or understanding that he came to die (and die he would, for our salvation). I also like to think the purpose of their gift of gold to the Infant King was a prophecy of what was to follow soon after their departure: the Holy Family's flight into Egypt and the Infant King's escape from an untimely death. You see, through the gift of gold, God provided for all the needs of the Holy Family as they escaped Herod's wrath, and during their journeys there and back, it is doubtless that Saint Joseph put every piece of it to good use, as the Scripture relates, "and Joseph found favor in the sight of his master, and ministered to him: and being set over all by him, he governed the house committed to him, and all things that were delivered to him: and the Lord blessed the house of the Egyptian for Joseph's sake, and multiplied all his substance, both at home, and in the fields" (Genesis 39:4-5), and also, "He made him master of his house, and ruler of all his possession" (Psalm 104:21).
My favorite part of this painting is that the Magi are in the clothing and garb of priests! They brought incense to the Christ Child, and incense indicates that a Deity is present: Jesus Christ, both God and the Son of God -- a great Mystery, indeed! This painting intimates that not only did they offer the frankincense, but that they also burned it there before Jesus Christ, God and King. In the Temple, only a chosen priest could offer the sacrifice of incense in the Holy of Holies, as we know from the story of the just priest Zachary as told in the Gospel of St. Luke (1:5-25).
According to the painting, then, the Magi were the first Gentiles to be priests, prophets, and kings. Therein lies so much fodder for my feeble, finite, and weary mind.
Catholic Readings and Collect for the Holy Mass of the Epiphany
The Scriptural readings at the Extraordinary Form (EF) for Epiphany are the following:
Introit: Malachi 3:1; 1 Chronicles 29:12; Psalm 71:2
Lesson: Isaiah 60:1-6
Gradual: Isaiah 60:6,1
Gospel: St. Matthew 2:1-12 (genuflect at these words of verse 11: "and falling down, they adored Him").
Offertory: Psalm 71:10-11
Communion: St. Matthew 2:2
The Scriptural readings at the Ordinary Form (OF) for Epiphany are the following:
Introit: Malachi 3:1; 1 Chronicles 29:12; Psalm 71:1,10,11
First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6
Gradual: Isaiah 60:6,1 ~or~ Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 (Response: cf. v.11)
Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3a,5-6
Gospel: St. Matthew 2:1-12
Communion: St. Matthew 2:2
The EF Collect for the Feast of Epiphany:
O God, Who on this day by the leading of a star didst manifest Thine only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; mercifully grant that we who know Thee now by faith, may be brought to the contemplation of the beauty of Thy majesty. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Hymns for Epiphany
There are many beautiful hymns for Epiphany, some in Gregorian Chant (GC), some in polyphony, and some common hymns in the vernacular. In GC, a very beautiful and complex piece is Illuminare, Illuminare Jerusalem.
In a particular hymn that is in both Latin and English,
Adeste Fideles/O Come, All Ye Faithful,
verse 8 can now be added to the rest of the hymn.
Other great hymns are We Three Kings of Orient Are, The First Nowell, As with Gladness Men of Old, and Songs of Thankfulness and Praise.
One hymn for the Feast of Epiphany that I cannot pass up without a comment is a hymn we all know, yet commonly the second part of each verse is replaced by a chorus (the chorus is only the second part of the first verse). This hymn is so much more beautiful in its original form, and yet ominous in a way, too. This hymn is called, What Child is This, by William Chatterton Dix (1865).
1. What Child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
2. Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
3. So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise a song on high,
The Virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
With that, I hope that you have a blessed and happy Feast of the Epiphany in all your homes, and may God bless each and every one of you now and throughout the Ordinary Time after Epiphany.
