On the Feast of Epiphany — which is celebrated on Jan. 6, the 12th day after Christmas — three wise men from the east pay homage to the infant Jesus.
According to Scripture, Caspar, Balthasar, and Melchior follow the North Star until it stops over the place where the child lays. They see the babe in the arms of his mother, Mary, and then, opening their treasure chests, they offer the baby Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
As good stewards should, they felt called to discover Jesus and pay homage to Him with gifts fit for a King, while making the personal sacrifice of traveling a great distance and evading an angry Herod in the process.
Like the wise men, we are called to do the same. Whether it is Epiphany or any ordinary day, we are to recognize the blessing that Christ is in each of our lives, and then to eagerly give back to Him in thanksgiving in the form of our time, talent, and treasure.
What’s more, Matthew 2:1-12 says that when the three wise men reach the baby Jesus in Bethlehem, they are overwhelmed with joy. Likewise, when we find Christ, we too will be filled with joy — we will discover that He is the greatest blessing ever given to us, and we will rejoice in paying homage to Him.
