Because we will be celebrating the Baptism of Our Lord this coming Sunday, I wanted to post a short story and reflection to celebrate the Feast Day that officially marks the end of the Christmas season, The Epiphany of our Lord. This is the day when we read the story of the Magi from Matthew 2:1-12.

And on this day I want to share with you an old Italian folk story. It is the story of La Bafana. Italian tradition holds that an old woman, La Bafana, welcomed the Magi into her home to rest for a while from their long journey. They tell her about the child they are seeking and offer to take her with them. She refuses and says goodbye to them the next day. But as the day goes on she starts to have second thoughts and goes to find the Magi so that she too can see the child. When she cannot find them she vows to continue her search for the child. Tradition has it that to this day she leaves a gift for every child this time of year just in case one them is the Christ. 

This story makes me think. I wonder what gifts she gives? If every child born on this earth could be Jesus what is the perfect gift? Is it a brand new mountain bike? Is it their favorite food? Or if we could give to every child as if we were giving a gift to Jesus, revealing the true nature of who Christ is, as the magi did, would it simply be love, forgiveness, grace, and peace. Perfect gifts fit for the baby Jesus; the best gifts any of us could receive.

Happy Epiphany!

Pr. Dan