The word epiphany in Greek means manifestation or appearance. Originally the Greek-speaking Church of the Eastern Mediterranean celebrated both the Birth of Christ and the Manifestation on one and the same day, January 6, while the Western Church celebrated the Nativity or Christmass on December 25.
From the early fifth century, both East and West generally celebrated both Christmass Day (Dec 25) and the Epiphany (Jan 6) but with different emphases. The West celebration of the Manifestation to the Gentiles on January 6 was possibly related to the moving of the relics of the Magi from Constantinople to Milan in the fourth century, when Milan was capital of the western half of the Roman Empire.
Related to the Epiphany/Manifestation of the Son of God incarnate to the Gentiles are two other central Manifestations of God observed at this time – in the East on the feast day, Jan 6, in the West during the season of Epiphany.
These other two are (a) the Manifestation of the Holy Trinity at the Baptism of Jesus when the Father speaks to the Son and the Spirit from the Father descends upon the Son (Mark 1:1-11), and (b) the Manifestation of Jesus as the One Person made known in two Natures when he performed the “sign” at Cana of Galilee – the miracle of water into wine (John 2:1-11).
If we put these three Manifestations together we have in its primary, biblical, narrative form what was achieved dogmatically by the first four Ecumenical Councils of the Church up to AD 451. That is, the setting forth of the dogma of the One, Blessed, Holy and Undivided Trinity and of the One Person of Christ Jesus made known in two natures, divine and human.
It is an old tradition that states that there were three visitors (because of the three gifts) and that they were kings. In fact prophecy encouraged the idea that they were kings, “The Gentiles shall come to thy light and kings to the brightness of thy rising” (Psalm 72:10 & Isaiah 60:3). That the new king should be born in Canaan was seen in the prophecy of Balaam (Num. 24:17) and so the Magi possibly took the main road from Persia to Jerusalem, and from there to Bethlehem in particular, because of the clear prophecy in Micah 5:2 that the Messiah would be born in the city of David.
The Manifestation to humanity by Jesus Christ & the Holy Trinity has for its ultimate purpose the deification of humanity through salvation, sanctification and glorification. Thus the Collect for the Feast prays that “we may have the fruition (or enjoyment) of thy glorious Godhead” – the seeing of the glory of the Father in the face of the Incarnate Son, when we shall be like He is.
This Collect is based upon (a) the biblical narrative of the visit of the Magi as recorded in Matthew 2; and (b) the thought that “we walk by faith and not by sight” on earth (2 Corinthians 5:7); walking by faith now towards the future contemplation by sight in heaven.
As the Magi were “led onwards” by a star, faith is the star by which we are led. The Magi gazed at the heavens and then upon the Only-Begotten Son Incarnate, while we shall see the glory of the Father in the face of the exalted Jesus Christ.
What this Collect actually prays for is, of course, the important thing. We make petition for divine assistance so that, after being faithful sojourners and pilgrims here on earth, we will experience the full realization of Christian hope and see the glory of the Father in the face of Jesus Christ in the age to come.
But we must first walk by faith in order that later, by grace, we may walk by sight. This is the message for the whole of the season of the Epiphany. Our faith is a star leading us to Christ who is the fulfillment of all prophecy, of all hope and of all that pertains to our redemption and glory, as we are united to the Source of all Being who bestows existence upon His whole creation.