Saints of Christmas: Magi
Posted by Rebecca Teti in Faith on Sunday, January 03, 2010 10:00 AM
Because Epiphany is a movable feast in the United States, it falls on the 10th day this year.
Epiphany means “to show,” and the feast celebrates the Magi coming to make the Christ-child known to the entire world.
In last year’s homily for Epiphany, Pope Benedict explained the several meanings of the feast:
“The Latin tradition identifies it with the visit of the Magi to the Infant Jesus in Bethlehem and thus interprets it above all as a revelation of the Messiah of Israel to the Gentiles. The Eastern tradition on the other hand gives priority to the moment of Jesus’ Baptism in the River Jordan when he manifested himself as the Only-Begotten Son of the heavenly Father, consecrated by the Holy Spirit. John’s Gospel, however, also invites us to consider as an “epiphany” the Wedding at Cana, during which, by changing the water into wine, Jesus “manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him” (Jn 2: 11). And what should we say, dear brothers and sisters, especially we priests of the New Covenant who are every day witnesses and ministers of the “epiphany” of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist? The Church celebrates all the mysteries of the Lord in this most holy and most humble Sacrament in which he both reveals and conceals his glory.”
So there are many events contained in “Epiphany,” but they all lead to the same attitude: adoration.
I’ve noticed the custom of the home blessing is gradually spreading—does your family practice it?
You take chalk to your pastor and have him bless it. Then use the chalk to mark the entrance of your home with the year and the inscription CMB (for Caspar, Melchio, Balthasar, the traditional names for the Magi). CMB also stands for “Christus Mansionem Benedicat,” or Christ, bless this home.” The inscription is usually written out this way: 20+C+M+B+03.
King cakes (with a hidden bean or coin) are another common custom, and since the kings are said to have come from the East, it’s also traditional to eat spicy food today.
Our family holds our gift exchange on Epiphany—but American Epiphany, since usually January 6th is a school and work day and we have found there are limits to our ability to fight the power 
(Suppressed today, but usually observed January 3, is the feast of St. Genevieve, patronness of Paris.)
Finally, here’s an oldie from The Far Side:
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