Epiphany 2012 began in earnest on January 6th. In the West, we have celebrated the event called "Little Christmas," when the wise gentiles from the East (representing all seekers worldwide) finally found the Christ Child. It is thought by many scholars that it took a good year for the Visitors to find Jesus and the family - probably still in Bethlehem. They searched and searched for God's best (and so should we).
It is thought by many that when the wise visitors somehow got mixed up with Herod the Great (who was not so great), they avoided him like the plague - after finding and worshipping the Christ Child. Herod wanted to eliminate all pretenders to his throne and, thereby, choose any male under the age of two. The Holy Family then fled into exile in Egypt (from whence the Israelites had come) and hid away until it was safe to return.
While we in the West celebrate the "Light of God's Revelation" in the form of a star and the discerning of God's plan, the Eastern Churches celebrate Christmas...
God's gift of a Son - remarkably keeps blessing any of those who will - still - receive "the only Begotten Son...," this Child of God...
