The Epiphany of the Lord – Bulletin Greeting: January 4, 2026

Bulletin Greeting: January 4, 2026

The Epiphany of the Lord

The birth of a child is always surrounded by excitement and joy. Family and friends gather with eager anticipation to see and hold the newborn, gifts are carefully chosen, meals are prepared, and life seems to pause to welcome this new beginning. The news spreads quickly, and hearts are lifted in celebration. On the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, we are invited once again into that joy, but the Child we celebrate is no ordinary child. He is the long-awaited Messiah, the fulfillment of God’s promise, born not only for one people, but for the salvation of the entire human race.

In Matthew’s Gospel, the Epiphany is presented as the fulfillment of ancient prophecy: the revelation of Christ to the nations. The Magi, guided by a star, come from afar to adore the newborn King, representing all peoples who are drawn into the light of Christ. Isaiah gives voice to this mystery when he proclaims, “Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance.” What was once spoken in hope now unfolds in history; the glory of the Lord is revealed, and it is meant for all.

Central to this feast are the gifts the Magi present: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew tells us that they first prostrated themselves in worship and only then opened their treasures. Their gifts were not random offerings, but profound signs of who this Child truly is. As the early Church recognized, gold proclaims Christ as King, whose reign has no end; frankincense acknowledges Him as God, worthy of worship; and myrrh foreshadows His suffering and death, reminding us that He came to give His life for our salvation.

Yet the Epiphany is not merely a remembrance of a past event. As St. Paul reminds us, the mystery now revealed is that all nations are coheirs in Christ, members of one body. Through the life of the Church, especially in the celebration of the Sacraments and above all the Eucharist, the glory of God continues to be made manifest today. We are both the Magi who come to adore and those sent forth to proclaim the Good News to the world.

This feast invites us to a deeper question: what do we bring to the Lord? We may not carry gold, frankincense, or myrrh, but we bring our lives—our joys and struggles, our faith and doubts, our desire for conversion. As St. Bernard of Clairvaux reflected, the Magi appeared foolish to the world, kneeling before a helpless Child, yet in that “foolishness” they found true wisdom.

As we approach the manger and behold the Child with Mary His mother, may we follow in the footsteps of the Magi. With hearts full of joy, may we offer ourselves to Christ, becoming humble in the eyes of the world but wise in the sight of God, and allowing His light to shine through us to all nations.