Attributed to Fra Angelico (Italian painter, 1387-1455) Adoration of the Magi 1433
In the Bible, Matthew’s Gospel says soon after Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea, ruled by the Roman King Herod, “some men who studied the stars came from the East to Jerusalem & asked, "Where is the baby born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star when it came up in the East, & we have come to worship him.'” According to the Gospel, the men had followed a star to the house where Jesus & Mary were & presented gifts of gold, frankincense & myrrh.
January 6th is observed as a Christain church festival called Epiphany in commemoration of the arrival of the Magi at the end of their long journey from the Far East, in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ. In Western Christain churches, Epiphany portrays the 1st manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. In some Eastern Christain Churches, Epiphany celebrates baptism of Christ. (The word Epiphany also defines "a revealing scene or moment," & may also be seen as "an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being.")
