“Epiphany” means “manifestation”. It comes from the Greek root which means “to show”, to display” (phanaeine). January 6 is known as Old Christmas, a day originally designated for celebrating the Birth of Jesus under the Julian Calendar. The shift to the Gregorian Calendar by Pope Gregory XIII in the late 1500s moved Christ’s birthday to December 25.
In the early Church, Christians particularly those in the East, celebrated the Advent of Christ on January 6 by commemorating Nativity, Visitation of the Magi from the East, Baptism of Christ in the Jordan and the Wedding of Cana in Galilee all in one Feast of the Epiphany.
On the Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord, we rejoice that Christ, the King of the world, has made himself known to all peoples. The twelve days of Christmas begin on December 25 and ends on January 6. This period leads to Epiphany and it was celebrated as early as the 4th century. The liturgical color for the day of Epiphany is white, and the typical color for Epiphany season is green. It is a season from January 6 until the day before Ash Wednesday.
The main message is the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the world. (Matthew 2:1-12). Pope Francis, in his homily on January 6, 2019, emphasizes the fact that what is particularly surprising is the way in which He manifested himself: not by Herod, Pontius Pilate or Caiaphas, but in a humble dwelling in Bethlehem.
Now, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a beautiful star appeared in the sky. In ancient religions, stars always held a high and important position even before Christmas began. Several legends were associated with stars as ancient people used to look upon them as gods and created myths about them. The Christmas star symbolizes the Holy Star that appeared quite miraculously in the Eastern sky on the day Jesus was born and seemed to move towards the west of Persia.
It is believed to have shown the way to the three Wisemen or Magi from the East to find the newborn King. The Wisemen from the East were also astrologers. They were well aware of the triangle shape that had already appeared before the birth of Moses. This ws perhaps the reason why it was interpreted that a great man was to be born on Jewish land.
They apparently had material of a prophetic nature (some have suggested that they got it from an Eastern Jewish community such as the one in Babylon) that allowed them to identify the Birth of the new King of the Jews.
Magis are understood to be members of the Persian Priestly caste. In Hellenistic culture, they were regarded as “rulers of a distinctive religion”, but at the same time their religious ideas were thought to be ” strongly influenced by philosophy”, so that the Greek philosophers have often been portrayed as their pupils. (cf.Delling, “magos”, p.356). The three Kings, were not Jewish, they came from the Orient. Some scholars believe that they began their travels together from Persia, while others believe that they came from three different regions of the Orient, one of them maybe from China.
The Magis, Balthazar, Gaspar and Melchior, who dedicated themselves to astronomy, soon sought to find out what it means and after examining some ancient parchments containing the studies of the Wisemen of Persia, India and Ethiopia, they concluded that the Star announced the Birth of a great King who would rule over all the Kings of the world.
All the details, circumstances and the direction in which the star moved indicated where this great King was to be born, and it seemed imperative to them to undertake a journey to follow this Star as soon as possible. They organized a caravan with many servants and camels to pay homage to the new King.
Following the guidance of the Star, they came to the place where the Divine Infant was, with Mary and Joseph. And entering in, they bowed down to worship the child. Then they opened their treasures and offered Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
As they look, they believe and do not question, as their symbolic gifts bear witness: Gold signifies Jesus’ Kingship and Eternal reign. Frankincense, His Priestly Divinity and Divine intercession. Myrrh, foreshadows His sacrificial death for redemptive suffering.
” Incense for God, Gold for a King, Myrrh for the one who is to die”. – Saint Peter Chrysologus.
Epiphany celebrations vary from country to country. In many countries, Epiphany is a Holy Day of obligation. Feasts and Home blessings are common Epiphany customs. Some cultures “chalk the door” on the Twelfth Night as a way to sanctify houses and publicly declare their Christian faith.
The Three Epiphany Blessings
Blessed Salt:
Salt has long been a sign of protection, preservation and God’s Covenant.
Sprinkling Blessed salt at doorways or around the home is a prayer for God’s grace, peace and protection for the household. Small packets of blessed salt maybe picked up from the Parish.
Epiphany Water:
Holy water blessed for Epiphany reminds us of our Baptism and Christ being revealed to the world. Families can use it to bless each room of the home while praying together. Epiphany water will be available in containers at the Parish. Parishioners are encouraged to bring a small bottle or use the containers provided.
Chalking of Doors an Epiphany Tradition:
January 6 is the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.
Each year, several parishes and homes across the globe participate in the blessing of chalks and chalking of the door.
This ancient tradition has Biblical roots, deeply tied to the Passover in the Book of Exodus.
The Epiphany Blessing of Doors and Houses
20 + C + M + B + 26
The letters have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of the Three Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. They have a Latin phrase Christus Mansionem Benedicat meaning “May Christ bless this house”.
The letters recall the day on which the inscription is made, as well as the purpose of blessing.
The Crosses represent the protection of the Precious Blood of Christ, whom we invoke, and the holiness of the Three Magi sanctified by their adoration of the Infant Christ. The inscription is made above the front door, so that all who enter and depart may enjoy God’s blessing.
The inscription is made of chalk (blessed by a Priest), a product of clay, which recalls the human nature taken by the Adorable and Eternal Word of God in the womb of the Virgin Mary, by the Power of the Holy Spirit.
Epiphany Blessing of Doors and Houses
(Simple Rite of Blessing that a Layman may use)
- In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen
Lord our God,
Come and bless this home.
May You lovingly care for all who live here.
May Your kingdom come in this home as we love and respect one another.
Encompass all its four sides with the power of Your protection so that no evil or harm will come near.
Blessed be this doorway
Write 20 + C + M + B + 26).
May all who come to it be treated with courtesy and kindness. May all our comings and goings be under Your loving care.
May Your blessing rest upon us all through the New Year.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(Write the inscription for this year above your front door with blessed chalk. The three letters are the initials of the three wise men. The member may then proceed to sprinkle the interior of the home with the Blessed Epiphany water).
The Epiphany Chalk is left on the door throughout Epiphany and washed off on Shrove Tuesday.
HAPPY NEW YEAR-2026!