So it was when the magi came to visit the Christ Child - the truth that Jesus Christ was sent from God was revealed, not only to a small sect of jews but to the world of the gentiles as well. The epiphany has great significance to our faith, because it brings into clear view the purpose of God - that God's salvation is given for the whole world, not only for God's special people, the Jews.

As the magi visited the Christ Child, they brought Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. All three were precious commodities - myrrh and frankincense were both from the resin of rare trees, and were very costly at the time. All three gifts could be found on the trade routes between Asia and Europe, and all three unaffordable to all but the most wealthy. But each gift had symbolic as well as monetary value. Gold symbolized the Kingship of Christ. Frankincense was the main ingredient in the incense burned at the altar in Jerusalem, considered such a holy concoction that only the priests could mix it. Thus the Frankincense symbolizes Jesus' priestly role. And myrrh was used in incense and as an ingredient for embalming. Myrrh comes from the Hebrew word "mar" which means bitter. Myrrh was for this king/priest who would one day die for the sins of the world.

To read the story of the magi, read Matthew, chapter 2.

Baptism is full initiation into the rites and responsibilities of the Church of God. While there is evidence that children and infants were baptized along with full households during Paul's time, the baptism of infants as a general practice did not begin until Constantine became emperor and declared Christianity to be an acceptable religion in the Roman Empire (313 A.D.) The rite originally occurred after a long period of preparation similar to what we now call Confirmation. Baptism most often occurred at the Easter Vigil. Going under the water symbolizes dying to the old self and being raised to newness of life. The Oil of Chrism signifies the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus' baptism in the river Jordan was significant in many ways. First, Jesus, though born Son of God, identified with his people in joining those at the Jordan for baptism for the remission of sin. Second, it was at his Baptism that he was first recognized by John, and by others (depending on which gospel you read) to be the one who would save his people from their sins. John the Baptist's declaration, "Behold the Lamb of God" hearkens back to the tradition of the Passover. In the Passover. (read Exodus chapter 12,) God "passed over" his people, who were saved from destruction through putting the blood of a lamb on the lintels of their doors. Jesus as Passover Lamb has saved us from sin and in baptism raises us to newness of life, a precursor of the resurrection.