FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY

 Our most common Epiphany image is of the three wise men, the magi, the three kings, come to kneel before the manger as they present their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  Tradition calls them Balthazar, Caspar and Melchior.  Their gifts came just in time to provide the funds that enabled Joseph to escape to Egypt with Mary and the infant Jesus.  The journey to Egypt, on foot, might have taken two weeks.  It would have been impossible without enough money to sustain them on the way.  Epiphany marks the beginning of the Holy Family’s worrisome and difficult journey of escape from the bloodthirsty King Herod.  Once they were safely in the new country, the gifts of the maji continued to provide for Joseph, Mary, and Jesus.

                                                                       Deacon Dick Folger