January 6th, The Epiphany of Our Lord

The Four Gospels - Harmonized by Canon A.Weber, Catholic Association for the Diffusion of Gospel, 1903
Chapter IX - The Magi (St. Matthew II, 1-12)
When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of King Herod, behold, there came wise men from East to Jerusalem, saying: "Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East, and are come to adore Him?"
And King Herod hearing this, was troubled and all Jerusalem with Him; and assembling together all the chief priests and the Scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ Should be born. But they said to him: "In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the Prophet: "And thou Bethlehem the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda; for out of thee shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel." Then Herod privately calling the wise men learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them; and sending them into Bethlehem said: "Go and diligently inquire after the Child; and when you have found Him, bring me word again, that I also may come and adore Him." Who having heard the king they went their way; and behold the star which they had seen in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the Child was.


The Adoration of the Magi (from "The Mystical City of God" by Ven Mary of Agreda, TAN Books)

The three Magi Kings, who came to find the divine Infant after His birth, were natives of Persia, Arabia and Sabba (Ps.71,10), countries to the east of Palestine. Their coming was prophesied especially by David, and before him by Balaam, who, having been hired by Balaac, king of the Moabites, to curse the Israelites, blessed them instead (Numb. 24,17). In this blessing Balaam said, that he would see the King Christ, although not at once, and that he would behold Him, although not present; for he did not see Him with his own eyes, but through the Magi, his descendants many centuries after. He said, also, that a star would arise unto Jacob, which was Christ, who arose to reign forever in the house of Jacob (Luke 1,32). At the same time the holy angel, who had brought the news from Bethlehem to the Kings, formed of the material air a most resplendent star, although not so large as those of the firmament; for it was not to ascend higher that was necessary for the purpose of its formation. It took its course through the atmospheric regions in order to guide and direct the holy Kings to the cave, where the Child awaited them. Its splendor was of a different kind from that of the sun and the other stars; with its most beautiful light it illumined the night like a brilliant torch, and it mingled its own most active brilliancy with that of the sun by day. On coming out of their palaces each one of the kings saw this new star (Matth.2,2) although each from a different standpoint, because it was only one star and it was placed in such distance and height that it could be seen by each one at the same time. As the three of them followed the guidance of this miraculous star, they soon met. Thereupon it immediately approached them much more closely, descending through many shifts of the aerial space and rejoicing them by shedding its refulgence over them at closer range. They began to confer among themselves about their plans, finding that they were identical. They were more and more inflamed with devotion and with the pious desire of adoring the newborn God, and broke out in praise and admiration at the inscrutable works and mysteries of the Almighty. The heavenly Mother awaited the pious and devout kings, standing with the Child in her arms. Amid the humble and poor surrounding of the cave, in incomparable modesty and beauty, She exhibited at same time a majesty more than human, the light of heaven shining in her countenance. Still more visible was this light in the Child, shedding through the cavern effulgent splendor, which made it like a heaven. The three kings of the east entered and at first sight of the Son and Mother they were for a considerable time overwhelmed with wonder. They prostrated themselves upon the earth, and in this position they worshipped and adored the Infant, acknowledging Him as the true God and man, and as the Savior of the human race. By the divine power, which the sight of Him and His presence exerted on their souls, they were filled with new enlightenment. They perceived the multitude of angelic spirits, who as servants and ministers of the King of kings and Lord of lords attended upon Him in reverential fear (Heb.1,4). Arising, they congratulated their and our Queen as Mother of the Son of the eternal Father; and they approached Her on their knees. They sought her hand in order to kiss it, as they were accustomed to do to their queens in their countries. But the most prudent Lady withdrew her hand, and offered instead that of the Redeemer of the world, saying: "My spirit rejoices in the Lord and my soul blesses and extols Him; because among all the nations He has called and selected you to look upon and behold that which many kings and prophets have in vain desired to see, namely Him who is the eternal Word incarnate (Luke 10,24). Let us extol and praise his name on account of the sacraments and mysteries wrought among his people; let us kiss the earth which He sanctifies by his real presence.".......
During these divine colloquies the Magi remembered the dire destitution of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in their cave, and they resolved immediately to send them some gifts in order to show their affections and to satisfy their desire of serving them, since they could not do anything else for them. They sent through their servants many of the presents, which they had already set aside for them, and others which they could procure. Most holy Mary and Joseph received these gifts with humble acknowledgment and they made a return not of emptyworded thanks, as other men are apt to make, but many efficacious blessings for the spiritual consolation of the three kings. These gifts enabled our Queen to prepare for her ordinary guests, the poor, an abundant repast; for the needy ones were accustomed to receive alms from Her, and attracted still more by her sweet words, were wont to come and visit Her. The Kings went to rest full of incomparable joy in the Lord; and in their sleep the angels advised them as to their journey homeward.