SEASONAL REFLECTION ON….. EPIPHANY
The Epiphany (meaning ‘appearance’ or ‘manifestation’) is traditionally celebrated on 6th January and celebrates the introduction of Jesus to all humanity. In the West, this special day commemorates the visit of the Wise Men, or Kings, to the baby Jesus, led by a star and bringing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold symbolised his kingship, frankincense (used in worship) his priestly role, and myrrh (used as a burial spice) his death for all on the cross.
In the East, the Epiphany celebrates the Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan by John the
Baptist, when he was revealed as the Messiah by God speaking of the Son in whom he was well pleased and by the Holy Spirit descending from heaven in the form of a dove.
In many countries, 6th January is known as Three King’s Day and different customs have
evolved. In Spain, the Philippines and various parts of Latin America, children leave their shoes out overnight in order to collect gifts from the Kings. They also leave presents for the visitors and their camels in the form of sweets, drinks and hay! A special cake is baked with a small Jesus doll inside. Depending on the country, the finder of the doll must pay for the cake, host a party later in the year, or simply serve as king for the day.
In the Netherlands and Belgium, children dress up as the Kings and visit houses singing
songs and receiving sweets or coins. In Germany, the children also leave the initial letters of the kings’ traditional names - M(elchior), G(aspar) and B(althazar) - above the door frames to bless each family for the New Year.
The day is known as Little Christmas in Ireland. Irish women around the world have the
day off to go out for a meal with their friends, while the men take over the household duties!
In Italy, the legend of an old lady known as La Befana is popular. One story goes that the
Kings visited her on their way to Bethlehem. They invited her to accompany them, but she was afraid and decided to wait until the morning. The next day, she gathered some small but prized possessions and set off in search of the baby king. But as she travelled, she became lost. Legend has it that she wanders to this day, searching for the baby and leaving gifts (or lumps of coal) in the shoes of sleeping children on 5th January.
In America, a Yule log is often left burning for the twelve days of Christmas which end
on 6th January, Twelfth Night. This is the day on which we take down our Christmas decorations and some consider it unlucky to do so earlier or later.
Vicki Howie
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