CCC 527 Jesus’ circumcision, on the eighth day after his birth,¹ is the sign of his incorporation into Abraham’s descendants, into the people of the covenant. It is the sign of his submission to the Law² and his deputation to Israel’s worship, in which he will participate throughout his life. This sign prefigures that “circumcision of Christ” which is Baptism.³

CCC 528 The Epiphany is the manifestation of Jesus as Messiah of Israel, Son of God and Savior of the world. The great feast of Epiphany celebrates the adoration of Jesus by the wise men (magi) from the East, together with his baptism in the Jordan and the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee.⁴ In the magi, representatives of the neighboring pagan religions, the Gospel sees the first-fruits of the nations, who welcome the good news of salvation through the Incarnation. The magi’s coming to Jerusalem in order to pay homage to the king of the Jews shows that they seek in Israel, in the messianic light of the star of David, the one who will be king of the nations.⁵ Their coming means that pagans can discover Jesus and worship him as Son of God and Savior of the world only by turning towards the Jews and receiving from them the messianic promise as contained in the Old Testament.⁶ The Epiphany shows that “the full number of the nations” now takes its “place in the family of the patriarchs”, and acquires Israelitica dignitas⁷ (is made “worthy of the heritage of Israel”).

CCC 529 The presentation of Jesus in the temple shows him to be the firstborn Son who belongs to the Lord.⁸ With Simeon and Anna, all Israel awaits its encounter with the Savior-the name given to this event in the Byzantine tradition. Jesus is recognized as the long-expected Messiah, the “light to the nations” and the “glory of Israel”, but also “a sign that is spoken against”. The sword of sorrow predicted for Mary announces Christ’s perfect and unique oblation on the cross that will impart the salvation God had “prepared in the presence of all peoples”.

CCC 530 The flight into Egypt and the massacre of the innocents⁹ make manifest the opposition of darkness to the light: “He came to his own home, and his own people received him not.”¹⁰ Christ’s whole life was lived under the sign of persecution. His own share it with him.¹¹ Jesus’ departure from Egypt recalls the exodus and presents him as the definitive liberator of God’s people.¹²

1 Cf. Lk 2:21.
2 Cf. Gal 4:4.
3 Cf. Col 2:11-13.
4 Mt 2:1; cf. LH, Epiphany, Evening Prayer II, Antiphon at the Canticle of Mary.
5 Cf Mt 2:2; Num 24:17-19; Rev 22:16.
6 Cf Jn 4 22; Mt 2:4-6.
7 St. Leo the Great, Sermo 3 in epiphania Domini 1-3, 5: PL 54, 242; LH, Epiphany, OR; Roman Missal, Easter Vigil 26, Prayer after the third reading.
8 Cf. Lk 2:22-39; EX 13:2, 12-13.
9 Cf. Mt 2:13-18.
10 Jn 1:11.
11 Cf. Jn 15:20.
12 Cf. Mt 2:15; Hos 11:1.