The word "Epiphany" comes from the Greek and means "revelation," "disclosing," or simply "showing." It is the action of God by which he REVEALS, DISCLOSES, and SHOWS His divine Son to the world in the human form of Jesus of Nazareth. We tend to focus upon the coming of the gentile astrologers, or magi, to the infant Jesus in Bethlehem. But if you read the older liturgical texts used at the Epiphany, you will find that three events are included in the whole solemnity of the Epiphany: the coming of the magi, the baptism of Jesus, and our Lord's first miracle when He changed water into wine at the wedding reception in Cana of Galilee.

Why are these three moments important? Because the magi who were led to Bethlehem by a preternatural light in the night sky, something looking like a star, were gentiles, not Jews. They were the first representatives of the entire gentile world who would be brought to the feet of the savior, and they found Him "with Mary his mother," as Christ must always be found. You see, in the mind of the Jewish people, there are two kinds of people: Jews and everyone else. The "everyone else" are the gentiles -- the "nations". Up until the coming of the gentile magi, all those to whom the Incarnation of Jesus had been revealed were Jews: the holy family and its relatives, the shepherds near Bethlehem, and the holy ones in the Temple at the time of the presentation.

Now, some non-Jews -- some gentiles -- follow the traveling light from their home country to Bethlehem. They fall at the feet of this baby and present Him with gifts worthy of a king, since they believe that the traveling light indicated the birth of a royal personage. Here begins the revelation of the Savior to the gentile world -- a process that includes us and will continue until the end of time.

Then, at the baptism of Jesus, St. John the Baptist formally introduces Jesus to the Jewish world: "Behold the Lamb of God; behold Him who takes away the sins of the world." And the voice of the Father is heard over the waters of the Jordan: "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased."

And finally, at Cana Jesus turns water into wine, a miracle which caused His disciples to believe in Him. All through His public life, He used miracles as "signs" to prove His divinity. This one, according to St. John is the first of those signs which produce belief, faith. It is another way in which God says to the world that Jesus is His Son and that we are to put our faith in Him. He is our way, our truth, our life. God bless you.