Today we celebrate the wonderful Feast of The Epiphany, also known as Little Christmas. The famous Magi make their appearance and come to worship the newborn king. This is the day in certain other traditions, Christmas is celebrated.

This feast is filled with symbols, from the guiding star to the long journey to find the Messiah; from the presentation of gifts to the presentation of the Christ Child to gentiles outside the Jewish tradition. The Magi represent a whole different culture and class compared to the simple shepherds who first came to adore the child. This child was born for everyone!

One of the things you will notice in the bible is that when a child is born who is destined to have an important role in the history of salvation, the birth is accompanied by certain unusual events.

Isaac for example was born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age past childbearing years; Moses as an infant was left in a basket by the river only to be rescued and raised as an Egyptian; John the Baptist was also conceived by elderly parents and his father Zechariah was struck dumb because he doubted the conception. Only when he wrote the child’s name as John did his voice return.

As the most important person in the whole history of salvation, Jesus’ birth is marked by one unusual event after another: Mary’s conceion by the Holy Spirit; the journey to Bethlehem; the birth in a stable; Angels, Shepherds and Kings come to adore; the flight into Egypt and the slaughter on the innocent.

Anyone hearing of these events surely knew that this child was destined for the greatest of places in Salvation.

Even today, on Little Christmas 2014, these events and the accompanying feeling and emotion continue to linger in our hearts as we once again celebrate this season.
May the gifts of the Magi remind us of the great gift of this Christmas season: the Son of God who came to bring love and life into the world.