Reflections on the Feast of Epiphany

Yesterday was the Feast of Epiphany, Feast of the Three Kings or Magi in the Roman Catholic Calendar. It was the end of the Christmas Season in the Philippines. This article is inspired after hearing the sermon of the Priest from The TV Sunday Mass, I viewed yesterday, January 4, 2026. 

Epiphany: A Journey Guided by Light

Yesterday marks the Feast of Epiphany, known in the Christian tradition as the Feast of the Three Kings or the Magi. In the Philippines, it also gently closes the long and beloved Christmas season, one that begins as early as September and ends not with fireworks, but with reflection.

At its heart, Epiphany is a story about a journey.

The Magi were not kings in the political sense, but seekers, astronomers, scholars, travelers from distant lands. They followed a star not because they were told to, but because they were curious, attentive, and open to wonder. Their journey was long, uncertain, and required courage. The star did not explain everything. It simply invited them to walk forward.

This theme of seeking resonates far beyond Christianity.

In Judaism, the tradition of seeking wisdom, hokhmah runs deep, expressed through study, questioning, and ethical living. In Islam, the idea of hidayah, or divine guidance, emphasizes attentiveness to signs in the world and humility before truth. In all great traditions, there is respect for those who search sincerely, who travel inward and outward in pursuit of meaning.

The Magi brought gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These were not random offerings but symbols: honor, reverence, and an acknowledgment of human vulnerability. Across cultures and faiths, gift-giving has always been less about material value and more about recognition, I see you; I honor your worth.

In the Philippines, Epiphany carries a particular tenderness. After weeks of celebration, family gatherings, and shared meals, this day signals a turning point. Decorations come down. Ordinary life resumes. Yet something lingers: a quiet hope that the light we followed during the holidays does not disappear, but moves within us.

For readers around the world, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, or otherwise the message of Epiphany is not about doctrine. It is about attention.

What stars are we following today? What truths invite us to travel beyond our comfort zones? What gifts, kindness, patience, understanding can we still offer one another in a world often darkened by fear and division?

The Magi returned home “by another way,” the story tells us. Perhaps that is the deepest wisdom of Epiphany: that sincere journeys change us. We may arrive at the same place, but we do not return the same people.

As the Christmas season ends in the Philippines, may its light continue, guiding our steps, softening our judgments, and reminding us that across nations and faiths, we are all travelers under the same sky.

May the stars we follow lead us not only forward, but toward one another.

Meanwhile, here's the AI Overview on the Above Topic:

The Feast of Epiphany, traditionally observed on January 6 or the following Sunday (January 4 in 2026), marks the "manifestation" of Jesus Christ to the world

. It serves as the climax of the Christmas season, transitioning from the private joy of the stable to the public revelation of God’s glory. 

Key Spiritual Reflections

• Universality of Salvation: The visit of the Magi—who were non-Jewish "outsiders"—symbolizes that Christ did not come for one group alone, but as a savior for all nations and ethnicities.
• The Journey of Faith: Like the Magi who followed a star through uncertainty, reflections for 2026 emphasize the "sacred pilgrimage" of the spiritual life. This involves seeking truth even when the path is long and the destination is unexpected—finding a king in a humble manger rather than a palace.
• Response to the Light: Epiphany is often called the "Feast of Lights". Modern reflections suggest that believers are called to be "phosphors" (light-bearers), reflecting Christ’s love to others who are struggling through "dark" times.
• Internal Transformation: The Magi’s return "by another way" is frequently viewed as a metaphor for spiritual conversion. Encountering the divine should change one's direction in life, leading away from old habits and toward a new path of grace.
• Inward vs. Outward Gifts: While the Magi brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh, 2026 reflections encourage offering "inward gifts" such as mercy, advocacy for justice, and acts of service. 

Comparison of Eastern and Western Perspectives

Feature	Western Tradition (Catholic/Protestant)	Eastern Tradition (Orthodox)
Primary Event	Visit of the Magi (Three Kings)	Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
Focus	Manifestation to the Gentiles	Theophany (Manifestation of the Trinity)
Theme	Following the Star/Giving gifts	Revelation of Christ’s divinity and public mission

Practical Observances for 2026

• Chalking the Door: A traditional blessing where "20 + C + M + B + 26" is written above the home's entrance, representing the year and the names of the Magi (Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar), while also abbreviating the Latin Christus Mansionem Benedicat ("May Christ bless this house").
• Family Devotions: Resources like The Quest offer daily virtue-based reflections to help families conclude the season with spiritual offerings.
• King’s Cake: Many cultures share a "Galette des Rois" containing a hidden figurine; the person who finds it is "crowned" for the day, celebrating the joy of the royal manifestation. 
• Meanwhile, here are the top five news of the Day  

U.S. captures Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in major military operation — U.S. forces carried out a strike in Venezuela, capturing Maduro and flying him to the United States as he faces federal charges; China condemns the move and global tensions rise. Reuters+1

President Trump signals possibility of further military actions — Trump said the U.S. could conduct additional strikes if Venezuela does not comply, underscoring ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Axios

International uproar over U.S. statements on Greenland sovereignty — Trump’s remarks about the strategic importance of Greenland sparked pushback from Denmark, Greenlandic leaders, and European governments. The Guardian

CES 2026 tech expo underway with major product reveals — The big annual technology show in Las Vegas is bringing new innovations and hardware announcements from leading manufacturers. TechRadar

Major cultural and arts leadership news — Lina Ghotmeh has been selected to lead the expansion of Qatar’s Mathaf Museum of Modern Art, marking a significant development in the global arts world. ArtAsiaPacific

My Photo of the Day: 

My Two Great Grand Sons_ Beau David and Graham Everett

When the Internet Goes Down, So Do I

A recent image(above) crossed my screen sometime ago claiming that two weeks without the internet can reverse ten years of cognitive aging. Like many viral claims, it was dramatic, oversimplified, and designed to stop the scroll. Still, it made me pause, not because I believe the promise, but because of the reaction it stirred in me.

The truth is, I don’t need two weeks without the internet to learn something about myself. A day without email is enough to make me uneasy. A few days without blogging or interacting with ChatGPT, and I feel unmoored. Not lost exactly, but restless, distracted, almost irritable. That realization says more about my relationship with the digital world than any study ever could.

At this stage of my life, the internet is not just a convenience. It is how I think out loud. It is where my curiosity still finds oxygen. Blogging gives shape to my days. ChatGPT gives me a thinking partner who never tires of my questions. Email keeps me tethered to the wider world. When those connections go quiet, I feel it in my body as much as in my mind.

Some might call that addiction. I don’t think that’s quite right.

What I recognize instead is engagement, deep engagement mixed with habit. Over time, the gentle tools that once served my creativity have quietly become the rhythm that structures my day. When the rhythm is interrupted, I notice the silence.

I’ve been reading about studies suggesting that stepping away from constant internet use can improve focus and attention, even making people perform like they did years earlier on certain cognitive tests. That sounds promising, but I also know myself well enough to say this: disappearing from the digital world altogether would not make me sharper. It would make me lonely. It would cut me off from the very practices that still make me feel useful, alive, and connected.

So I’m not chasing a digital detox. I’m looking for balance.

Lately, I’ve been experimenting with small, intentional pauses. I start the day without opening email. I write a few thoughts by hand before turning on a screen. I try to batch my online time instead of grazing all day long. I take short walks without my phone and let my thoughts wander without being immediately answered by a search bar.

These are not heroic acts. They don’t reverse aging or transform my brain. But they do something quieter and perhaps more important: they return a sense of choice. I’m reminded that I can step back without vanishing. That I can rest my attention without abandoning my voice.

Aging, I’m learning, is not just about loss. It’s about discernment. About deciding what still feeds you and what simply fills the hours. The internet, for all its noise and temptation, still feeds me, when I use it deliberately.

And so I continue to blog. I continue to write. I continue to converse with this strange, tireless digital companion. But I also practice letting the internet go quiet now and then, just long enough to hear myself think.  That, for me, feels like the healthiest connection of all.

A Closing Reflection for Fellow Travelers

If you are reading this in later life, perhaps you recognize a bit of yourself here too. We did not grow up with the internet, yet somehow it has grown into us. It connects us to family, ideas, memories, and purpose, sometimes more reliably than our aging bodies allow. Letting go of it entirely may sound virtuous, but it can also feel like letting go of relevance, voice, or companionship.

I don’t believe wisdom at our age comes from withdrawal. I believe it comes from discernment. From knowing when connection nourishes us and when it exhausts us. From allowing ourselves moments of quiet without turning them into exile.

So if you find comfort in your email, joy in writing, stimulation in learning something new online, don’t apologize for that. Just remember to leave a little room each day for silence, for reflection, for thoughts that don’t need to be shared or answered immediately.

Aging does not require us to unplug from the world. It simply invites us to choose more carefully how we stay plugged in. And that, I think, is a form of grace and gratitude.

Meanwhile, here's the AI Overview on the Above Topic

The phrase "When the Internet Goes Quiet, So Do I" reflects a contemporary sentiment about our dependence on digital connectivity for a sense of engagement or purpose

. It highlights how an unexpected internet outage can lead to a period of forced introspection and a realization of the world beyond constant online stimulation. 

Many people find that without the "constant noise" of social media feeds, notifications, and endless content consumption, there is a surprising stillness and calm in real life. This quiet space can reveal what is missing in one's life, often leading to a desire for real-world human connection, community, and shared moments that online interactions might only simulate. 

Instead of a feeling of loss, some use this period of silence as a cue to engage in offline activities:

• Reading more books or creating things.
• Exercising or pursuing hobbies (play bridge or mahjong).
• Reaching out to family and friends in person.
• Joining local group activities or classes ( art crafts). 

Ultimately, the sentiment suggests that while the internet connects us, it is the moments and actions offline that remind us of who we are and what truly matters. 

My Food for Thought for the Year:

AI won't replace you, but a person using AI will.

Lastly, here are some photos of Yesterday Activity, Bead Necklace that I participated for the first time

Proudly wearing my necklace creation

My Creation with My Crucifix Decor in my Bedroom

Thank You, Vanessa for the well-coordinated Activity.