Epiphany, also called 3 Kings Day, is the celebration of the visit of the wise men from the East bearing gifts. This did not happen on Christmas Day as is usually depicted but may have occurred up to 2 years later. It is however an extremely important event for those of us who are not Jewish.

Although many Jews lived in dispersion in the east, the wise men are plainly presented as Gentiles: they ask for the “king of the Jews”. Their pagan wisdom evidently included astrology. As Gentiles, they have received revelation through nature. Like their precursor Balaam, who foresaw in his vision the rising messianic star (Numbers 24:17); they perceive some significance in the star of the Jewish king. But the star alone is not enough; they have to learn the secret of Jesus’ birthplace from the Jewish Scriptures (through Herod and his council), that it is from Bethlehem that the ruler will come (Micah 5:12).

These Magi, pay him true homage, offering gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh in accordance with Scripture (cf. Isaiah 60:6; Song of Solomon 3:6). Later it was assumed that the visitors from Sheba (Isaiah 60:6) fulfilled also the words of the Psalmist.

“May the kings of Sheba and Seba bring their gifts. May all kings fall prostrate before him.” - Psalm 72:10-11

We are not told how many Magi there were but 3 gifts suggests 3 Magi. So these 3 kings from the east become the first Gentiles to have worshipped the king in whom God was made manifest. So Epiphany commemorates the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles.

The western church, by about the 5th century, extended the celebrations of the birth of Jesus to include “the 12 days of Christmas”, culminating on 6 January with this celebration of the visit of the wise men (Matthew 2:1-12).