The Magi Visit ( Epiphany)
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The religious caste to which the three “WISE MEN” all belonged, as
the title MAGI’ indicates, and who came from the east to worship
JESUS.Mt.2:1 After
JESUS was born in Bethlehem in Judea during the time of
King Herod, Magi from the East came to Jerusalem and asked “
Where isthe one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw
HIS star in the east and come to worship HIM.”Then the
Magi continued to follow the star and some time later we read in
MT. 2:11“On coming to the house,they saw the
child JESUS with HIS mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped
HIM. Then they opened their treasures and presented HIM with gifts of
gold and of incense and of myrrh.” December 26th 2009 was the
first day of a twelve day period which ends January 6th 2010 and some call
“The Twelve Days Of Christmas” but it’s proper name is Epiphany.
Epiphany is the celebration of the Magi’s visit to JESUS.
The Greek word for Magi is Magoi - plural of Magos…
meaning Wise Men. Epiphany or “Little Christmas” is a holy twelve
day period starting December 26th and culminating on the Day of
Epiphany, Sunday January 6th of the following year. Originally it
celebrated both the birth and baptism of JESUS CHRIST, but since
300 AD the Day has honored the meeting of the three wise men (Magi)
with JESUS. In England, the Day of Epiphany
traditionally called “Twelfth Night” the last day of the holy season
that began with Christmas thus the name of the song “The Twelve Days
of Christmas” Many people can readily quote the words of this song but
not too many know the meaning behind the 12 days. What each day and
what gift it cryptically symbolizes dates back to the times, when
Catholics in England were not allowed to openly celebrate their
religion. It seems Christians of 2009--2010 America are headed into the
same dilemma of not being able to worship Christ openly. As
a means to pass on their religious beliefs on to their children,
Catholics began singing “ The Twelve Days of Christmas” with each
gift bearing religious significance as follows, A partridge in a
Pear Tree- JESUS, the SON of GOD.Two Turtle Doves- the Old and
New Testament. Three French Hens-the theological virtues of Faith,
Hope and Charity. Four Calling Birds- the Four Gospels. Five
Golden Rings- the Pentateuch or the first five books of the Old
Testament. Six Geese a-laying- the six days of creation. Seven
Swans A-swimming- the seven sacraments. Eight Maids A-milking-
the eight Beatitudes. Nine Ladies Dancing- the nine fruits of
the Holy Spirit. Ten Lords A-leaping- the Ten Commandments.
Eleven Pipers Piping- the eleven faithful apostles(excluding
Judas).Twelve Drummers Drumming- the 12 points of doctrine in
the Apostle’s Creed.
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The religious caste to which the three “WISE MEN” all belonged, as the title MAGI’ indicates, and who came from the east to worship JESUS.Mt.2:1 After JESUS was born in Bethlehem in Judea during the time of King Herod, Magi from the East came to Jerusalem and asked “ Where isthe one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw HIS star in the east and come to worship HIM.”Then the Magi continued to follow the star and some time later we read in MT. 2:11“On coming to the house,they saw the child JESUS with HIS mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped HIM. Then they opened their treasures and presented HIM with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.” December 26th 2009 was the first day of a twelve day period which ends January 6th 2010 and some call “The Twelve Days Of Christmas” but it’s proper name is Epiphany. Epiphany is the celebration of the Magi’s visit to JESUS. The Greek word for Magi is Magoi - plural of Magos… meaning Wise Men. Epiphany or “Little Christmas” is a holy twelve day period starting December 26th and culminating on the Day of Epiphany, Sunday January 6th of the following year. Originally it celebrated both the birth and baptism of JESUS CHRIST, but since 300 AD the Day has honored the meeting of the three wise men (Magi) with JESUS. In England, the Day of Epiphany traditionally called “Twelfth Night” the last day of the holy season that began with Christmas thus the name of the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” Many people can readily quote the words of this song but not too many know the meaning behind the 12 days. What each day and what gift it cryptically symbolizes dates back to the times, when Catholics in England were not allowed to openly celebrate their religion. It seems Christians of 2009--2010 America are headed into the same dilemma of not being able to worship Christ openly. As a means to pass on their religious beliefs on to their children, Catholics began singing “ The Twelve Days of Christmas” with each gift bearing religious significance as follows, A partridge in a Pear Tree- JESUS, the SON of GOD.Two Turtle Doves- the Old and New Testament. Three French Hens-the theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. Four Calling Birds- the Four Gospels. Five Golden Rings- the Pentateuch or the first five books of the Old Testament. Six Geese a-laying- the six days of creation. Seven Swans A-swimming- the seven sacraments. Eight Maids A-milking- the eight Beatitudes. Nine Ladies Dancing- the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. Ten Lords A-leaping- the Ten Commandments. Eleven Pipers Piping- the eleven faithful apostles(excluding Judas).Twelve Drummers Drumming- the 12 points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed.
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