Homily - Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord Matthew 2:1-12 A little boy returned from Sunday school with

a new perspective on the Christmas story. He had learned all about the Wise Men from the East who brought gifts to the Baby Jesus. He was so excited that he could hardly wait to tell his parents. As soon as he arrived home, he immediately began, I learned all about the very First Christmas in Sunday school today! There wasnt a Santa Claus way back then, so these three skinny guys on camels had to deliver all the toys! Today, we solemnly celebrate the feast of The Epiphany of the Lord. Now, the word Epiphany comes from the Greek word Epiphania meaning revelation, or manifestation. According to the tradition, The Epiphany of the Lord signifies , specifically the manifestation of the Christ child to the entire world. The feast is based on one of the most enigmatic stories in the New Testament, of the visit of the Magi (Wise Men), shortly after the birth of Jesus, reported in the Gospel of Matthew: Magi from the eas t came to Jerusalem and asked, where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him. The Magi followed the star which led them to Bethlehem. There they found the Christ child, did him homage and presented him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The Magi represent the non-Jewish world they represent us. Their arrival on the scene shows, as it was, that the Savior born in Bethlehem comes not just for one people, but for all peoples, all races, of all times and places. And we joyfully proclaim, Lord, all the nations will adore you. Now, the feast of The Epiphany of the Lord, tells us that Jesus came for everybody. Saint Paul states this very clearly in the Second Reading today: in Christ Jesus... we are now, members of the same body, and sharers of the same promise through the preaching of the Gospel. In other words, God wants everyone to be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth. This is wonderful! God wants to save us in Christ Jesus so that we now form, all nations together, a single and unique Body of Christ! Lord, all the nations will adore you. We adore you.