Epiphany is a Christian feast day
celebrated on January 6 every year. It’s also known as “Three Kings’ Day.” The
Christian year begins with the season of Advent, which leads up to Christmas on
December 25. Then come the 12 days of Christmas (Dec. 25–Jan. 5), which lead to the feast of
Epiphany on January 6.
Epiphany
begins the season of “Epiphanytide” or “The Season after Epiphany.” This season
ends on Ash Wednesday. The word, “Epiphany”
comes from the Greek epiphaneia, meaning “manifestation” or “appearance.” In
the context of the church, Epiphany refers to the appearance of Jesus Christ as
the savior of the world—of Israel and the Gentiles. For this reason, Epiphany
is commonly associated with the visitation of the Magi or “wise men,” who were
almost certainly Gentiles (see Matt. 2:1–12.) The Church has long viewed the
Magi finding Jesus (thanks to the leading light of a star) as a fulfillment of Isaiah’s
prophecy.
Note
that, in addition to the coming of the Magi, other manifestation stories are
read during this time. The baptism of Jesus is celebrated on the 1st
Sunday after Epiphany. On the last Sunday of Epiphany, the story of Transfiguration
is told.
There
are many customs associated with Epiphany. Twelfth Night celebrations mark the end of the
12 days of Christmas. Special “kings cake” is eaten with a figurine of the baby
Jesus hidden in the cake. It is also a day for the blessing of houses. Sometimes
the outside door frames are “chalked” as a part of that blessing.
Though
the Season after Epiphany is one of two periods in the Church calendar known as
“ordinary time,” or the green season, there’s nothing unimportant or boring
about it! During Epiphany we focus on “the mission of the Church to reach all
the peoples of the earth, and the great gift of God’s grace in revealing
healing truth and light to the world.”
Taken from the Anglican Compass
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