6 January is the Feast of the Epiphany. This is the day Traditional Catholics celebrate the coming of the wise men from the east. How many visitors were there? Tradition says three based upon the named gifts. However, there could have been more. It can be assumed that there were more than 3 people in the journey from the east. In a caravan there would-be drivers, servants, guards, handlers and who knows who else. How many? We don’t know.

When did they come? It wasn’t on Christmas day. It was within two years after His birth. The exact timing is unknown. But we do know that King Herod ordered the killing of all male children two and under because he feared the Christ child.

We also don’t know how long they stayed. Perhaps not for very long because such a large group would attract attention from both government and locals.

But why is this an important feast day? Before this time the coming of the Redeemer was for the people of the Jewish religion only. With the coming of the visitors, the Redeemer was meant for the whole world. We also know that the visitors left by a different route from which they came from.

What happened to them after they left? Tradition says that they were converted to the new faith. One would hope this is true as well as those that came with them.

It is time to rejoice at the annunciation of the promised Redeemer especially with the current events happening in the world.