In the Spirit of Die Nona Januarii
The celebration of Die Nona Januarii, or the Ninth Day of January, echoes with the light of Epiphany, a solemn feast marking the revelation of Christ to the nations. The prophetic vision of Isaiah 60:1-6 and the fulfillment of that vision in Matthew 2:1-12 provide a luminous tapestry, richly woven with the wisdom of the Church Fathers, who expound upon these texts with profound insight into the mystery of Christ’s universal kingship.
Isaiah 60:1-6: The Glory of the Lord Shines Forth
“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”
Isaiah’s prophetic words foretell the coming of the Messiah, whose light will draw nations to salvation. St. Augustine, in his commentary on this passage, emphasizes the transformative power of Christ’s light:
“The light that Isaiah proclaims is Christ Himself, who illuminates every man coming into the world. This light, unlike the fading brilliance of earthly kings, dispels the darkness of sin and death, making us children of light.” (Tractatus in Evangelium Ioannis, 35:8)
The imagery of nations streaming to the light of Jerusalem finds fulfillment in the Magi’s journey. The gifts they bear—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—reflect the universal reach of Christ’s mission. Gold signifies His kingship, frankincense His divinity, and myrrh His sacrificial death. St. Leo the Great, preaching on the Epiphany, explains:
“The gifts of the Magi manifest the mystery of our salvation: gold declares the Lord’s sovereignty, incense shows the glory of His divinity, and myrrh points to the reality of His mortal flesh.” (Sermon 31 on the Feast of the Epiphany)
Matthew 2:1-12: The Adoration of the Magi
The Gospel of Matthew reveals the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy in the journey of the Magi. These wise men from the East, representing the Gentiles, are the first to adore Christ as King. Their pilgrimage is a symbol of faith’s triumph over worldly wisdom. St. Gregory the Great remarks:
“In the Magi, we see a foreshadowing of the Gentiles, who are called out of the darkness of idolatry into the light of faith. They teach us to leave behind earthly concerns and follow the star of divine guidance, leading us to Christ.” (Homiliae in Evangelia, 10)
Their adoration contrasts sharply with Herod’s reaction of fear and jealousy. Herod, a symbol of worldly power, rejects the true King, clinging instead to his fleeting authority. St. John Chrysostom draws a lesson from this juxtaposition:
“The Magi sought Christ with diligence and reverence, while Herod, though near Him in body, remained far from Him in heart. Let us imitate the Magi, not Herod, by drawing near to Christ with faith and humility.” (Homily 6 on Matthew)
Epiphany: The Manifestation of Divine Love
The convergence of Isaiah’s prophecy and the Gospel narrative reveals the universal scope of Christ’s mission. The Magi, like the nations streaming to Jerusalem in Isaiah’s vision, foreshadow the Church’s catholicity—a Church where all peoples, tongues, and cultures are united in the worship of the true God.
St. Ambrose reflects on the spiritual significance of this unity:
“The Epiphany is not merely the revelation of Christ to the Magi, but to the entire world. It is the day when faith begins to dispel the shadows of division and draws all nations into the light of truth.” (Expositio Evangelii secundum Lucam, 2:5)
In this light, Die Nona Januarii becomes an invitation to imitate the Magi’s virtues of faith, humility, and perseverance. Their journey, guided by the star, calls us to seek Christ above all, recognizing Him as the fulfillment of all our desires.
Living the Epiphany
As we reflect on Isaiah 60:1-6 and Matthew 2:1-12, the words of St. Ephrem the Syrian offer a fitting prayer:
“O Lord, the Star led the Magi to You, and Your light illumines our hearts. May we, like them, offer the gifts of our lives in adoration of Your majesty and humility, and proclaim Your glory to the ends of the earth.“
Let us rise and shine, for the light of Christ has come! May we, like the Magi, be drawn to His light and bear witness to His glory, offering our hearts as living gifts to the newborn King.
In the spirit of Die Nona Januarii, let us be a people who, illumined by faith, carry the light of Epiphany into the world. Lumen Christi!