SOMETIME today, in the streets around Casino Español in Ermita, Manila, three men on horseback clothed like ancient kings of the East will go riding forth in celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany, otherwise known as Three Kings Day.
We used to celebrate this holiday on January 6, until the Vatican Council II reset the date to the Sunday after New Year’s Day. Thus our religious celebration of the Christmas season in the Philippines, which began with the first Advent Sunday in November, ends today on the Feast of the Epiphany.
In Western Christianity, the Feast of the Epiphany emphasizes the visit of the Magi, the three Wise Men from the East, the Three Kings. These were non-Jewish people from the lands east of the Holy Land, and so their coming to Bethlehem, guided by a star, was seen as a “revelation to the Gentiles.” Filipino Christians share this view of today’s holiday as a celebration of Jesus’ manifestation not only to his own people, the Jews, but to all peoples of the world.
The Three Kings brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh for the Christ Child. The Christmas tradition of gift-giving thus dates back to these three gift bearers. They came from far-away lands; today’s celebration thus encourages a sense of solidarity with the people of these lands that is at the center of Christian missionary work.
Christmas is such a beloved tradition in the Philippines that many Filipinos begin celebrating as soon as the first day of November when radios start airing carols. They rise before dawn to attend the Simbang Gabi for nine days before Christmas Day. Warring government troops and Communist rebels both declare ceasefires so that both sides can join in celebrating the day of peace.
That season finally ends today, the Feast of the Epiphany. We are now back to confronting and arguing over problems of the country, such as increased prices and fares due to new taxes on fuel; typhoons, earthquakes, fires, and other calamities; possible suspension of elections as a new constitution is drawn up to replace the old one; a renewal of the campaign to root out drugs in the country; watching the United States and North Korea maneuvering and threatening each other with nuclear war.
But, as the saying goes, hope springs eternal in the human breast. We face the new year with the hope that men of peace and goodwill will prevail. And we begin – even now – to look forward to the next Christmas season.