Hearts Changed by Epiphany
The Epiphany reveals a God who does not hide Himself. He shines forth. The child of Bethlehem is not only the Savior of Israel but the light of all nations. The Magi, foreigners and seekers, represent every human heart that longs for truth, meaning, and hope. Guided by a star, they remind us that God always provides light for those who sincerely seek Him.
Yet the journey to Christ is not without struggle. Herod also hears of the newborn King, but instead of joy, he is disturbed. This contrast reveals an important truth: the same Christ who draws some closer can unsettle others. When Christ enters our lives, He challenges our false securities, our selfish ambitions, and our comfort with darkness. Epiphany asks us: do we receive Christ with openness like the Magi, or do we resist Him like Herod?
When the Magi finally encounter Jesus, they do three powerful things: they rejoice, they fall down in worship, and they offer gifts. This is the heart of Christian discipleship. Joy flows from encountering Christ. Worship is the only fitting response to His presence. And gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—symbolize the offering of our whole lives: our talents, our prayer, our suffering, and our love.
Finally, the Gospel tells us that the Magi returned home “by another way.” No one truly encounters Christ and remains the same.
Epiphany is not just about seeing the light; it is about being changed by it. As baptized Christians, we are now called to become stars ourselves—reflecting Christ’s light in our families, workplaces, and communities.
May this Epiphany renew our desire to seek Christ, courage to worship Him sincerely, and grace to walk a new path, transformed by His light.
