Epiphany
Happy Epiphany!
Not that I ever do much on epiphany, but this year I feel more aware of it. That's probably because of participating in 12days, but it's interesting nonetheless. I wonder if I can convince my father to stop by the Arandas bakery and get a cake. That would be a lot of fun.
I feel rather bad, though, because even though I've always known about the twelve days of Christmas and known January 6 was called epiphany, I've never known (or cared) why. So, to share some newfound knowledge:
A prime Christian feast, celebrated Jan. 6, called also Twelfth Day or Little Christmas. Its eve is Twelfth Night. It commemorates three events-the baptism of Jesus (Mark 1), the visit of the Wise Men to Bethlehem (Mat. 2), and the miracle at Cana (John 2). In his baptism Jesus' sonship to God was manifested to the world; in the visit of the Wise Men he was manifested as king to the Gentiles; and at the marriage feast at Cana his power to perform miracles (a divine prerogative) was shown. In popular celebration the feast is far more ancient than Christmas. Technically it is more important than Christmas, ranking after Easter and Pentecost. It is a day of gifts in many countries. In the Eastern Church the waters are blessed on this day.
So, now you know.
Not that I ever do much on epiphany, but this year I feel more aware of it. That's probably because of participating in 12days, but it's interesting nonetheless. I wonder if I can convince my father to stop by the Arandas bakery and get a cake. That would be a lot of fun.
I feel rather bad, though, because even though I've always known about the twelve days of Christmas and known January 6 was called epiphany, I've never known (or cared) why. So, to share some newfound knowledge:
A prime Christian feast, celebrated Jan. 6, called also Twelfth Day or Little Christmas. Its eve is Twelfth Night. It commemorates three events-the baptism of Jesus (Mark 1), the visit of the Wise Men to Bethlehem (Mat. 2), and the miracle at Cana (John 2). In his baptism Jesus' sonship to God was manifested to the world; in the visit of the Wise Men he was manifested as king to the Gentiles; and at the marriage feast at Cana his power to perform miracles (a divine prerogative) was shown. In popular celebration the feast is far more ancient than Christmas. Technically it is more important than Christmas, ranking after Easter and Pentecost. It is a day of gifts in many countries. In the Eastern Church the waters are blessed on this day.
So, now you know.