An Epiphany
08/01/06
The dictionary defines an epiphany as a moment of sudden revelation or insight, a realization or comprehension of the essence of something; from the Greek 'ephiphianein,' "to reveal."
Twelve days after Christ's birth, the Wise Men of Matthew's Gospel, bearing gifts, visit the infant Jesus. The Christ is revealed to the Gentiles. One of the Great Feasts of our church year, Epiphany marks the manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi; the realization that Christ is on Earth. At the Epiphany we culminate and celebrate Christ's birth, the Magis' visit and Jesus' childhood and baptism; the revelation of God to mankind in human form.
And so we conclude the celebration of the twelve days of Christmastide that ends with, what else, Twelfth Night (the evening before the Epiphany) as we enter the short season of ordinary time after the Epiphany that leads to Lent.
The Irish call the day Little Christmas. In Spain, Cuba and some Latin American countries Epiphany day is called El D�a de Reyes (Kings Day) or Pascua de Negros (Blackmen Christmas). In Spanish tradition, on this day, the Magi are the ones who deliver Christmas presents.
In some regions of Mexico, it is traditional for children to leave their shoes out on the evening of January 5, filling them with hay for the camels, so that the Magi will be generous with their gifts.
Twelfth Night is the secular festival marking the end of the Christmas season, and popular masquerading parties are typical entertainment. Think of it as an Anglican version of Carnival or Mardi Gras. An English custom, parishes would appoint a layman as "The Lord of Misrule" to oversee the season's (that begins with All Hallows Eve and ends with Twelfth Night) secular revelries for the church. Shakespeare's play 'Twelfth Night' was first performed during the London Twelfth Night celebrations of 1602... Ah, "Love sought is good, but giv'n unsought is better" (Act III, Scene I).
Twelve days after Christ's birth, the Wise Men of Matthew's Gospel, bearing gifts, visit the infant Jesus. The Christ is revealed to the Gentiles. One of the Great Feasts of our church year, Epiphany marks the manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi; the realization that Christ is on Earth. At the Epiphany we culminate and celebrate Christ's birth, the Magis' visit and Jesus' childhood and baptism; the revelation of God to mankind in human form.
And so we conclude the celebration of the twelve days of Christmastide that ends with, what else, Twelfth Night (the evening before the Epiphany) as we enter the short season of ordinary time after the Epiphany that leads to Lent.
The Irish call the day Little Christmas. In Spain, Cuba and some Latin American countries Epiphany day is called El D�a de Reyes (Kings Day) or Pascua de Negros (Blackmen Christmas). In Spanish tradition, on this day, the Magi are the ones who deliver Christmas presents.
In some regions of Mexico, it is traditional for children to leave their shoes out on the evening of January 5, filling them with hay for the camels, so that the Magi will be generous with their gifts.
Twelfth Night is the secular festival marking the end of the Christmas season, and popular masquerading parties are typical entertainment. Think of it as an Anglican version of Carnival or Mardi Gras. An English custom, parishes would appoint a layman as "The Lord of Misrule" to oversee the season's (that begins with All Hallows Eve and ends with Twelfth Night) secular revelries for the church. Shakespeare's play 'Twelfth Night' was first performed during the London Twelfth Night celebrations of 1602... Ah, "Love sought is good, but giv'n unsought is better" (Act III, Scene I).