If I were to ask you, “What is the Epiphany”?, I am sure that you would say that it is when the three Kings, wise men or magi, came to visit the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. Of course, you would be right. That is one of the “Epiphanies”, that the Church celebrates during its Liturgical Year. You might ask me, “what do you mean by one of them”?

You have to go back to the actual meaning of the word: epiphany. What does the word epiphany mean? In an ordinary sense it would mean a sudden or striking realization. Many of us have experienced such an epiphany: the answer to a puzzle, the realization that we are loved, looking for an object and then suddenly realizing where it is, and so on and so forth.

In a more profound, and religious sense, it would be the physical manifestation of Jesus as God. Of course, we can point to many of these manifestations taking place, as recorded in the Gospels. However, the Church looks to three main events. The first would be at Jesus’ birth, when he is manifested to the Gentiles, in the persons of the magi (kings or wise men). Second, would be when Jesus, at the beginning of his public ministry, is baptized by John in the Jordan River and a voice from heaven is heard and the Spirit descends on Him in the form of a dove (He is manifested to His own people). The third would be, Jesus is manifested, as God, at the very first miracle that He occasions: the turning of the water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee.

Today’s Solemnity of the Epiphany holds a special significance for those of Spanish heritage. This Feast of the Three Kings would be the day where, in many Spanish countries, the exchanging of gifts would take place. Let us remember the generosity and the single mindedness of these three Kings, who traveled far to see Jesus, the King of the Universe.