Christmas is over—New Year’s Eve is behind us—and it seems like a long six weeks before we get to the next holiday, Valentine’s Day.
But, there is a season before Valentine’s Day that really should be celebrated—the Season of Epiphany!
Different church denominations start and end this “season” at different times, with many starting on Epiphany day and ending on or some time before Ash Wednesday..
So what is Epiphany and why should we celebrate it?
In Western Christianity, Epiphany commemorates the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child. In this sense, this holiday is considered the Gentiles’ Christmas—the time when God opened the eyes of a few—perhaps three—Persian or Arabian astrologers who came to see the newborn Jewish king. These Gentiles, were the first non-Jews to visit the baby Jesus and to honor Him as a future king. So, the Day of Epiphany is named such because the word means “manifestation”—and this was the coming of Christ brought forth or manifested to the Gentile world.
In Eastern Christianity, Epiphany honors the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. In this case, the “manifestation” is of the the divine nature of Christ—who was both fully man and fully God.
We should celebrate this season because both manifestations—the revealing of Christ to the Gentiles (most of us!) and the revelation that Jesus is God among us, are foundational to our hope and our faith. God among us. God for us. Only Easter is more significant in terms of its ramifications!
So how is Epiphany celebrated?
In many countries, Epiphany is celebrated with special pastries, and children receive small gifts in their shoes in honor of the Magi’s gifts to the baby Jesus.
In Eastern traditions, baptism is common during Epiphany, and houses are blessed with holy water.
In New Orleans, and in the southeastern region of the U.S., Epiphany is celebrated with the baking and eating of three round cakes, which contain a little figurine or token. Whoever finds it in their slice of cake is responsible for making the cakes the following year.
In Germany, groups of young people called Sternsinger (also known as Star Singers) travel door to door dressed as the three Wise Men, with their the leader carrying the star. The singers are offered treats at the homes they visit and receive donations to charities.
Epiphany Day is on January 6th. How will you celebrate this special day?