Friars Corner: Jesus, we bring our love and obedience rather than gold, frankincense and myrrh

FbHilzphotoIsaiah 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2, 7-13; Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12

This is the Eastern Church’s Christmas. In ancient times Epiphany meant either the showing of a god or the solemn visit of a ruler, considered a god, to the cities of his realm. So the birth of Christ was truly the coming of God to his people. The clergy in Alexandria, Egypt, picked January 5-6th, to prevent new converts from celebrating the birthday of Aion, god of time and eternity. Aion’s priests would draw water from the Nile and store it for ritual purposes. They claimed that divine power turned the water into wine.

The Eastern feast celebrated these elements: 1) the Birth of Christ, 2) his baptism and 3) the first miracle of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding of Cana in Galilee. They also baptized on that day, thus further replacing the pagan water rites. In the second half of the 4th century the Eastern and Western Churches adopted each other’s feast of Christ’s birthday each with a different emphasis.

Since the Western Church had already celebrated Christ’s Birth on December 25th, their focus for the Epiphany became the visit of the Three Kings or Magi. This represented the pagan world coming to worship the true God. According to Blessed Ann Catherine Emmerich, in "The Life of Jesus Christ and Biblical Revelation," Vol 1, these Magi were given a vision of the Birth of Christ as they watched the special star the night Jesus was born in Bethlehem. They knew from ancient prophecies of a savior king who would change human history. So they left the next day to bring him their gifts of gold, frankincense, myrrh and many other gifts. Their travel took 33 days on fast camels instead of a 60-day trek. A star guided them by night and a bright angel by day.

Their names were: Mensor and Seir, from Caldea, and Theokeno, a Medianite. After the death of Jesus, the Apostle Thomas baptized Mensor and Theokeno. Seir desired baptism yet had already died. The designation of "kings" first came from Caesarius of Arles in the 6th century and the names: Caspar, Melchoir and Balthasar came from a Polish tradition in the 9th century. The first letter of their names also stands for the Latin abbreviation meaning "Christ bless this mansion (house)," CMB. Since the Middle Ages there has been the custom of blessing homes with holy water, incense and marking the top main entrance door frame with blessed chalk and the designation of: 20+C+M+B+15. So from a distance I bless your home.

"Father God, bless these dwelling places. May they be places of goodness, humility, self-control, purity, mutual respect for one another, hospitality for strangers and loving obedience to Your Word for those living there and all those who will visit there this year. I pray in Jesus’ Name as we worship him, Emmanuel, our God always with us."

Now you can sprinkle your home with holy water and mark the top doorframe of your main entrance with the above inscription.

Peace and all good!
+ Fr. Bob Hilz.
(© 2015 Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR)

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Nancy Ward

Nancy Ward writes about conversion, Christian community, and Catholicism. After earning a journalism degree, she worked for the Diocese of Dallas newspaper and the Archbishop Sheen Center for Evangelization, then began her own editing service. She’s a regular contributor to CatholicMom.com, SpiritualDirection.com, CatholicWritersGuild.com, NewEvangelizers.com and a contributing author to The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion. Now, through her Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story: Tools, Tips, and Testimonies workshops, retreats, book, and DVD, she shares her conversion story at Catholic parishes and conferences, equipping others to share their own stories.

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