The Epiphany of Our Lord is a Christian feast celebrated on January 6. The word Epiphany comes from the Greek verb epiphainen, which means “to shine upon,” “to reveal,” or “to make known.” This feast marks the ways in which Jesus Christ was revealed to the world and made known as the Son of God.
Epiphany especially recalls three important events that reveal Christ’s mission and divine identity. The first is the visit of the Magi, described in the Gospel of Matthew, who came from distant lands to worship the newborn King. The second is the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, where His identity was publicly revealed. The third is the miracle at Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine, showing His divine power for the first time.
Among these events, the visit of the Magi is the central focus of Epiphany Day, while the baptism of the Lord is traditionally celebrated on the Sunday that follows.