In many cultures, gifts are exchanged in Christian households on this day to note the arrival of the Three Kings, Wise Men, or Magi to the place of Jesus' birth with their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. As we discussed on Sunday, these gifts were specific in their meaning and helped to broaden the common understanding of what the Messiah was to be.
The word "Epiphany" is from the Greek language and, in English, means "a sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something" and "a comprehension or perception of reality by means of a sudden intuitive realization."
In other words, it's that "light bulb moment" famed in song and cartoon. The multiple definitions of epiphany well summarize a season that includes the arrival of the Magi, the baptism of Jesus [his own moment of "epiphany"], and the occasion of his first miracle.
By tradition, this is a day of devotion and prayer.
That so thy Blessed Birth, O Christ,
might through the world be spread about,
the star appeared in the East,
whereby the Gentiles found thee out;
and offered thee Myrrh, Incense, Gold,
thy three-fold office to unfold.
Tears that from true repentance drop,
instead of Myrrh present will we:
for Incense we will offer up
our prayers and praises unto thee;
and bring for Gold each pious deed,
which doth from saving faith proceed.
And as those wise men never went
to visit Herod any more,
so, finding thee, we will repent
our courses followed heretofore;
and that we homeward may retire
the way by thee we will enquire.
George Wither (1588-1667)