the season of Epiphany

" Epiphany is a season especially set apart for adoring the glory of Christ. At Christmas we commemorate his grace, in Lent his temptation, on Good Friday his sufferings and death, on Easter Day his victory, and on Ascension Thursday his return to the Father. And in Advent we anticipate his second coming. In all of these seasons he does something or suffers something, but on Epiphany and the days after it we celebrate him as an august and glorious king. ...

 As great men of this world are often plainly dressed and look like other men - all but as having some costly ornament on their breast or on their brow - so the Son of Mary in his lowly dwelling; and in an infant's form, was declared to be the Son of God most high and the Prince of Peace by his star, a wonderful appearance that had guided the wise men all the way from the East, even unto Bethlehem. The only display of royal greatness, the only season of majesty, homage, and glory our Lord had on earth was in his infancy and youth."

                                                           - St. John Henry Newman, from Magnificat, January 2024