Executive Summary
Epiphany, celebrated on January 6, commemorates the revelation of Jesus Christ as the Messiah to the Gentiles, symbolized by the visit of the Magi—traditionally known as the Three Kings—with their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This feast integrates seamlessly into the Christian creed, particularly the Nicene and Apostles' Creeds, affirming Christ's incarnation, kingship, priesthood, and sacrificial death as central to salvation history. The gifts carry layered symbolism: gold for royalty, frankincense for divinity and worship, and myrrh for suffering and burial, foreshadowing Jesus' life mission. Aromatic oils like frankincense and myrrh, prized in ancient rituals and medicine, underscore themes of consecration and healing, linking the Magi’s offering to broader biblical motifs of anointing and redemption.
The Biblical Foundation: The Magi in Matthew's Gospel
The account originates solely in Matthew 2:1-12, where "Magi from the East" arrive in Jerusalem after Jesus' birth, guided by a star. These astrologers or scholars inquire about the "king of the Jews," prompting Herod's alarm and the slaughter of innocents. Divinely warned, they find the child in Bethlehem, worship him, and present treasures before departing secretly. The Bible specifies neither their number—deduced as three from the gifts—nor kingship; later tradition elevates them to royalty, representing the world's nations adoring Christ.
This narrative fulfills Isaiah 60:3 ("Nations shall come to your light") and Psalms 72:10-11 (kings bearing gifts), emphasizing universal salvation. The Magi's journey contrasts Herod's tyranny, highlighting Christ's peaceful kingship and Gentile inclusion, pivotal against Jewish exclusivity in early Christianity.
Epiphany in Christian Tradition and Worship
Epiphany, from Greek epiphaneia ("manifestation"), marks Christ's "shining forth." Western churches focus on the Magi; Eastern Orthodox emphasize Jesus' baptism, revealing the Trinity—Father's voice, Son's immersion, Spirit's dove—echoing Nicene formulations. Celebrated 12 days post-Christmas, it closes the festal season with blessings of homes (chalked doors: 20+C+M+B+25, invoking Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar) and kings' cakes hiding a bean for the "king."
Liturgically, readings pair Matthew 2 with Isaiah 60 and Ephesians 3:2-6, proclaiming Gentiles as co-heirs. Processions and star blessings evoke the Magi's pilgrimage, reinforcing epiphany as ongoing revelation through sacraments.
Integration into the Christian Creeds
Epiphany embodies creedal truths. The Apostles' Creed affirms "born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate," linking incarnation to passion—echoed in the gifts. The Nicene Creed (381 AD), combating Arianism, declares Christ "begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father," "incarnate by the Holy Spirit," "crucified... for us," tying Epiphany's kingship to Trinitarian divinity and atonement.
The Magi's worship manifests the creed's "one holy catholic and apostolic Church," prefiguring Gentile inclusion (Nicene's "one baptism for forgiveness"). Their gifts symbolize creed-articulated offices: king (gold), priest (frankincense), prophet/sufferer (myrrh), fulfilling Hebrews 1:8-9 (anointed above peers).
| Creed | Key Epiphany-Relevant Affirmations | Link to Three Kings |
| Apostles' Creed | "Born of the Virgin Mary"; "suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried" | Incarnation (Magi adore infant); Passion (myrrh foreshadows burial) |
| Nicene Creed | "For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven... became man"; "king of kings" implied in lordship | Divinity revealed to Gentiles (Magi as firstfruits); Trinitarian baptism parallel |
This table illustrates creeds' MECE coverage: incarnation, mission, passion—vivified by Epiphany.
The Gifts: Symbolism and Profound Theology
The triad—gold, frankincense, myrrh—transcends wealth, prophesying Christ's roles per Psalm 72 and Isaiah 11.
- Gold: Symbolizes kingship, sovereignty. Offered to earth's true ruler, it rejects Herod's crown, affirming Jesus as Davidic heir (Luke 1:32-33). Economically, gold financed the holy family's Egypt flight (Matthew 2:13-15).
- Frankincense: Aromatic resin burned in worship (Exodus 30:34), denoting priesthood and deity. Used in Temple rites, it consecrates Jesus as eternal high priest (Hebrews 7:25), interceding via prayer's "fragrance" (Revelation 8:3-4).
- Myrrh: Bitter resin for embalming (John 19:39), prefiguring crucifixion and burial. Paradoxically anointing the living child, it evokes suffering servant (Isaiah 53), prophetic truth unto death.
These gifts, costing a king's ransom, evidence discernment: Magi recognize divinity amid humility, modeling faith's response.
| Gift | Material Origin | Primary Symbolism | Biblical/Theological Tie | Practical Use |
| Gold | Mined metal | Kingship, wealth | King of Jews (Matthew 2:2); Psalm 72:15 | Funded flight to Egypt |
| Frankincense | Boswellia resin (Arabia/Africa) | Divinity, worship | Priest (Exodus 30); Prayer incense (Rev 5:8) | Temple offerings |
| Myrrh | Commiphora resin (Somalia/Arabia) | Death, anointing | Burial (John 19:39); Suffering (Mark 15:23) | Embalming, pain relief |
The Three Kings: Identity, Names, and Representational Symbolism
Unnamed biblically, tradition assigns Caspar (Africa, gold), Melchior (Europe, frankincense), Balthasar (Asia, myrrh)—embodying three continents, racial diversity, universality. Medieval legends cast them as Persian Zoroastrian priests (magoi), aged 12, 30, 60 (life stages), buried in Cologne Cathedral (Helena's discovery, 326 AD).
Symbolically, they represent converted Gentiles, intellect yielding to revelation (star as faith's light), riches serving gospel. Contrasting shepherds (poor Jews), they show salvation's breadth.
Aromatics, Oils, and Sacred Significance
Frankincense (olibanum) and myrrh, oleo-gums from arid trees, exude when incised—evoking Christ's pierced side (John 19:34). Anciently, frankincense soothed inflammation, aided respiration; myrrh healed wounds, eased pain (Mark 15:23 offered to Jesus). Egyptians used myrrh in mummification, kohl from frankincense for eyes; Jews in purification oils (Exodus 30:23-25).
Linked to kings, these "tears of the desert" consecrated temples, anointings (Psalm 45:8, Messiah's "garments smell of myrrh"), prophetically scenting the altar of incense (Hebrews 9:4). Epiphany blessings incorporate them, symbolizing prayer ascending (Psalm 141:2). Modernly, essential oils revive therapeutic lore, but biblically, they point to Christ's healing atonement.
Their scarcity (Red Sea trade) amplified value, mirroring the "pearl of great price" (Matthew 13:46).
Theological Implications and Modern Observance
Epiphany proclaims creed's core: God-manifest, savior-king, for all nations. Gifts' typology—royalty, worship, sacrifice—crystallizes incarnation's purpose, urging response: adoration over rivalry (Herod). In a plural world, Magi model seeking truth across cultures.
Today, Spanish Roscón, Latin American parades, Orthodox baptisms sustain vitality, challenging consumerism with sacrificial giving. Amid creedal renewals, Epiphany invites re-encountering Christ revealed.
This feast, culminating Advent-Christmastide, propels toward Lent's passion, myrrh fulfilled at Calvary—gold's kingdom eternal, frankincense's praise unending.