Epiphany (the feast is also called the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles) marks the momentous visit of the Magi to worship the Christ Child, whom they believed to have been born King of the Jews. That title struck fear into King Herod, who subsequently had all boys in Bethlehem aged two or under massacred in order to eliminate the threat to his power. There is nothing in Matthew's gospel to indicate that there were three, that they were kings (other than the three types of gift which they offered - gold, frankincense and myrrh) but records from ancient times do indicate an astronomical phenomenon (possibly a comet, supernova or other celestial body). We celebrate this great event at our Parish Mass on 4 January.