Dear Parishioners:
We've all heard the Christmas carol "Twelve Days of Christmas." Why someone would give someone 23 separate birds, a pear tree, and the services of 50 people over 12 days is unclear to me. Yet there is a liturgical precedent for claiming that Christmas is 12 days long. Twelve days after Christmas is the feast of the Epiphany. This day marks when the magi encountered Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and gave Jesus the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
"Epiphany" is a word that means manifestation. The "Epiphany of the Lord" is Jesus' manifestation not only to the three Magi from the East but it's also a manifestation of Christ to the whole world. These Magi, traveling from a foreign land, reveal that Jesus came for all people, and all are called to adore Him. The Magi were "wise men" who studied the stars and understood that a Messiah was coming. God used what they were familiar with to call them to adore Christ. He used a star. They understood astrology, and when they saw this new and unique star over Bethlehem, they realized something special was happening. And yet, what a mystery that the Epiphany of God — his manifestation — is found in a tiny infant.
The Magi bring the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh for the newborn child. St. Irenaeus says that the gifts signify the mystery of the Incarnate Word (God who has become man): gold, a symbol of royalty, represents his kingship; frankincense, used in worship, points to his divinity; and myrrh represents his humanity, particularly in his passion and death. Pope Benedict XVI, in a homily on the Epiphany, said:
"The Magi worshipped a simple Child in the arms of his Mother Mary because in him they recognized the source of the twofold light that had guided them: the light of the star and the light of the Scriptures. In him they recognized the King of the Jews, the glory of Israel, but also the King of all the peoples."
The Church has traditionally announced the date of Easter and other moveable feasts on the Epiphany. This tradition dates from a time when calendars were not readily available. It was necessary to make the date of Easter known in advance since many celebrations of the liturgical year depend on its date. The number of Sundays that follow Epiphany, the date of Ash Wednesday, and the number of Sundays that follow Pentecost are all computed in relation to Easter.
Although calendars now give the date of Easter and the other feasts in the liturgical year many years in advance, the Epiphany proclamation still has value. It is a reminder of the centrality of the resurrection of the Lord in the liturgical year and the importance of the great mysteries of faith, which are celebrated each year. For the Year 2024, Ash Wednesday is February 14, Easter is March 31, Ascension is May 9, Pentecost is May 19, Corpus Christi is June 2, and the First Sunday of Advent is December 1. While Lent and Easter are early this year, they are not the earliest. In fact, the earliest date Lent can start is February 4, with Easter falling on March 22. The latest date Lent can start is March 10, with Easter being celebrated on April 25.
Speaking of calendars, I wish to thank Deborah A. Runshe and Betsy M. Harris of the Hill Funeral Home for once again generously sponsoring our beautiful 2024 parish calendars. These calendars were put out last weekend to be taken home.
The new electronic front door of the Church is now completely installed and working well. Large buttons can be pressed, automatically opening the door from the inside and outside. We hope the electronic door in the Candle Room entrance and the new interior doors are soon fully installed. I hope these handicap-accessible doors are a help to those who need them.
Monday is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and the end of the Christmas Season. The Church calendar returns to Ordinary Time with its green vestments. Ordinary Time continues until Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Christmas may be over, and the beautiful decorations will be put away until next year. But remember what St. Mother Teresa once said: "It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you." Be well. Do good. God Bless!