Happy Three Kings day!

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Tomorrow, the Christian world marks the last day of Christmas. Officially, the so-called 12 days of Christmas end with the Feast of the Epiphany, which used to be celebrated January 6 but is now observed by the Church on the Sunday after January 1, or the Feast of the Circumcision. Also called as the “Adoration of the Magi” or the “Manifestation of God,” it is likewise known as the day of the Three Kings or the wise men.

According to an old legend based on a Bible story, these three kings saw, on the night when the Child Jesus was born, a bright star which they followed to Bethlehem where they found the Christ-Child, to whom they presented their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

The significance of the Feast of the Epiphany, which probably began in those churches strongly influenced by the Gospel of John, who proclaimed Jesus Christ as “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,” and added that “We saw His glory, the glory of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth.”

The New Year has just begun and everyone still manifests a spirit of love, peace, and reconciliation. However, will this last throughout the year, or until the next time we celebrate Christmas?

At the rate some of our countrymen are bracing this early for the presidential elections, which is at least two years from now, let us all pray and hope that we will all be guided by the “true light, which enlightens everyone.” Let the Feast of the Epiphany be a revelation of Jesus as God's Son who was born to us in order to unite humanity to Himself.

Only by doing so will we be able to share in the grace of Jesus Christ, not only during Christmas, but throughout the year.*