The Visit of the Wise Men (Magi)
We celebrate the epiphany of the child Jesus and his baptism by John as an adult in the river Jordan, thirty years later. Both his appearance to the Magi, the Wise Men from the east (traditionally called kings), and his baptism, are epiphanies, that is manifestations. In the first he is shown to be the Saviour not only of the Jews but of the Gentiles; at the Jordan he is shown to be the Christ, the Saviour promised by God. His baptism is the first public manifestation (epiphany) of who God really is: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God in three persons.
The Baptism of Christ
Heavenly Father,
at the Jordan you revealed Jesus as your Son:
may we recognize him as our Lord
and know ourselves to be your beloved children;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
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