Isaiah 60.1-6; Psalm 71; Ephesians 3.2-3,5-6; Matthew 2.1-12
The Greek word epiphania, or “manifestation,” occurs twice in the New Testament, both in the epistle to Titus [2.11; 3.6]: “God’s grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race.” Our solemnity of the Epiphany, with all the exotica of foreign worshippers at the manger throne of the Incarnate God, makes the point over and over that “God does not have favourites, but that anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him.” [Acts 10.34-35]
St Matthew is very sparing of details about the mysterious visitors: he gives neither their names, their ethnicities, nor even their number. (We just assume they were three because three gifts are named; as for the rest, tradition has filled in the blanks for us.) For most of us, who aren’t descendants of Abraham, they are paradigmatic of the way that we, also, have been incorporated into the life of God [Romans 11.17], filled with his Spirit and adopted as his sons and daughters. [Galatians 3.26-29] With the magi we fall down before Him and present for His use our dearest treasures.