Epiphany means manifestation. What the Church celebrates today is the manifestation of Our Lord to the whole world; after being made known to the shepherds of Bethlehem He is revealed to the Magi who have come from the east to adore Him. All Christian tradition has ever seen in the Magi the first fruits of the Gentiles; they lead in their wake all the peoples of the earth, and thus the Epiphany is an affirmation of universal salvation. Formerly the Epiphany was an additional day for solemn baptisms.