The Epiphany of the Lord, while marking the end of Christmastide, also ushers in a new year of anticipating other epiphanies - whenever Christ manifests His divinity to the people. This is not something to be taken for granted when we remember that when the Lord came into the world one silent and holy night, the world neither recognised nor welcomed Him. That there was no room at the inn for the Holy Family was not just incidental but a reflection of how the world would not know who the long-awaited Messiah was until God chose to reveal Him. That it took the pagan Magi to identify the Son of God is telling of the Jews' lack of preparation for this momentous event.

Despite the Scriptures' long foretelling of His coming, none was more surprised than King Herod himself, who saw in the Christ Child, not salvation but a threat to his position as King of the Jews. But Jesus is more than this. Indeed, He is the King to all who acknowledge Him. Thus, what the Magi has done was to reveal to the world that the Messiah has indeed arrived. But it will be up to each person to look out for Him, for the Lord is in their midst as befits His name: Immanuel - God-with-us. Other epiphanies will follow at each key event in the life of Jesus.