RSRR Catholic Tidbits: 6-Jan-2018 - The Epiphany of Our Lord

I am grateful to the various sites from where I picked up ideas for the write-ups, images and videos that happened to touch my heart while preparing myself and my children on this Advent journey in faith .. I have tried giving credits where I could.. I have tailored the materials accordingly to suit my needs. My sincere apologies if I have not given due credit in all places. - Sabrina D'Mello

Epiphany marks the liturgical zenith of the Advent-Christmas season.

The figures of the wise men have reached Bethlehem, completing the nativity scene.

The custom of blessing the home on this day probably originated from these words in the Gospel, "And entering into the house, they found the Child with Mary, His Mother, and falling down they adored Him." Sprinkle some holy water in the rooms of your house to protect it and bring blessings.

Though the Season of Christmas liturgically ends on Epiphany and Christmas decorations are taken down, but the celebration of Christ's entry into our lives will forever remain.

Let’s watch the Scriptures Luke 2:39-40

(Credits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnkDMQmHeYE)

Reflection

Mary’s recollections of that first Christmas are drawing to a close. After completing all the tasks God’s Law laid out for them to do, Joseph and Mary returned to Nazareth, where they would raise Jesus to be strong in spirit, filled with wisdom and have the grace of God upon him.

We know from Matthew’s account the reason the couple first left Bethlehem was because Herod sent soldiers to murder the Christ Child, after the wisemen had come to visit. After spending some time in Egypt, they returned to Nazareth.

We pray that we too like Mary can raise children who are spiritually strong, strong enough to resist the pressures of this world.

Even though the trappings of Christmas are gone for another year, the Christ Child has come into our homes, and our lives will never be the same again.

Christmas Symbol :

Wisemen

(Credits:https://i0.wp.com/john23rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/three-kings.gif?w=322)

It is often speculated that there were three kings, magi, or wise men because the Bible mentions three gifts. Yet scripture never specifies how many wise men came to see Jesus. So were there only three kings? No one really knows. Yet the question remains, why these gifts? Well to begin, each of these gifts were very rare, valuable, and precious in Jesus’ time. Yet in Jesus’ case they were also symbolic of who Jesus was—pure as gold, divine as the burnt offerings of frankincense, and the Savior who would die, be embalmed with myrrh, and rise again to the amazement of all.

Prayer

Lord, you guided the three kings with the help of the star, help me to see your guiding light rise up in front of me ready to guide me. Grant me the grace to trust in You and to follow. Amen.

Let’s sing along with this carol -

We Three Kings