Epiphany - The sudden understanding without thinking. The immediate realization that you KNOW. It is like a light flashing and everything makes sense at last.
Epiphany is the Christian Festival celebrated on January 6th. This is also the date of the Christmas celebration in the Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches. It marks the announcement of Christ to the Magi. Contrary to popularly held beliefs and all of our Nativity scenes, the Magi were not present at the birth of Jesus. It was at least several months later, possible as much as 2 years later, when they arrived.
It was a long journey from the east - probably Persia, India, or even Thebet. The trip would have been across deserts with no Holiday Inns or Denny's Restaurants on the side of the road. There would have been bandits ready to rob the unwary, and any number of other hazards. Therefore everything from guards for the trip to the amount of tea to include had to be planned and prepared for.
There is also the question of why Mary and Joseph were still in Bethlehem, two years later. Well, think about it. They were poor people. It had been a long and expensive journey down to Bethlehem in the first place and then they had to pay the tax. That would have taken a great deal of their meger resources. Joseph probably had to work to save the money for the return journey home.
And Lastly, God knew they would need to flee to escape Herod. Bethlehem was a lot closer to Egypt than Nazareth and they wouldn't have to go near Jerusalem in their flight.
Epiphany is the dawning of the light of Jesus Christ on the entire Gentile world. The knowledge that He is for everyone, He is truly the Savior of the world.
Matthew 2
1. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,
2. Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3. And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4. And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born.
5. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written through the prophet,
6. And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah, art in no wise least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come forth a governor, who shall be shepherd of my people Israel.
7. Then Herod privily called the Wise-men, and learned of them exactly what time the star appeared.
8. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search out exactly concerning the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word, that I also may come and worship him.
9. And they, having heard the king, went their way; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11. And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
12. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
13. Now when they were departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I tell thee: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
14. And he arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt;
15. and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt did I call my son.
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