A MESSAGE FOR THE OCTAVE DAY OF EPIPHANY
On the Feast of the Epiphany, the antiphon at Vespers announces to us the triple nature of the feast: “Now do we celebrate * a festival in honour of three days when Christ was made manifest: the day whereon a star led the Wise Men to the manger; the day whereon water was turned to wine at the wedding feast; the day whereon Christ was pleased to be baptized of John in Jordan that he might save us, alleluia.”
The word Epiphany signifies “manifestation”, and of course refers to the fact that not only was born at Christmas, but was also manifested, revealed, to the world. This manifestation took place in three steps, all of which are celebrated during Epiphanytide. The first manifestation is the one most commonly associated with the Feast of Epiphany, and refers to the visit of the Three Wise Men, pagans all, who traveled from their faraway countries, following a star and the promise of a newborn King who would save all men, not just the chosen Jewish nation, from their wickedness.
On the Octave Day of the Epiphany, our Lord's cousin, St. John the Baptist, brings to our attention another later manifestation in the form of our Lord’s Baptism. This great forerunner of the Messiah had been chosen to prepare the way of the Lord so that the people would recognize their Saviour when he came. St. John the Baptist wished to make it perfectly clear that Christ was this Saviour, and pointed him out to the multitudes, saying “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him that taketh away the sins of the world!” His words were echoed by no less than God the Father in heaven, whose voice was heard confirming the Baptist's declaration: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
The third manifestation of Christ’s coming was made at the wedding feast of Cana, when our Lord performed his first miracle at the request of his blessed Mother. With this miracle, his divinity was confirmed to the people, and our Lord’s public ministry began. We celebrate this miracle next week on the 2nd Sunday after Epiphany.
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