Epiphany - while many know it as the day marking 12 days after Christmas and the time to take down the tree and decorations, it's actually a holiday with significant meaning. Epiphany means “appearance or manifestation.” Christians throughout the world celebrate the twelve days of Christmas. On Epiphany, Western Christianity recognizes Christ’s manifestation to the Gentiles. The Gentiles were represented when The Magi visited the child Jesus and showed how God’s gift of the Good News is for everyone.
Epiphany
was established by the early church leaders in the third century. This holiday celebrates and recognizes
Christ’s birth, baptism, the adoration of the magi, and the first miracle at
Cana. Observing Christmas and Advent
began at the end of the fourth century.
The
church calendar ensures that we cover the entire breadth and depth of the
Gospel in a year. The church year begins
at Advent. From Advent through
Pentecost, we concentrate on the life and work of Christ. The six months from
Advent to Pentecost covers all six major events: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany,
Lent, Easter, and Pentecost. The remainder of the year, Pentecost to Advent,
the church year focuses on the teachings of Christ. Epiphany is the
manifestation of God. It is a lovely
opportunity to rejoice that Christ has appeared to all, regardless of our
status.
Some
historical traditions around Epiphany are celebrations focusing on the Magi’s
journey, processions and ceremonies, children would receive gifts from the
three kings not Santa, baking and enjoying a kings’ cake with a trinket baked inside (whoever finds the trinket is king or queen for the day), and a feast.
This year
we will celebrate Epiphany with worship on January 5th, 2025 at
6:30 pm. All the youth will be leading
the worship service. We will begin with
a blessing for the new year and the service will focus on Jesus as the light of
the world. This is also a good time to
remind us to keep Jesus at the center of our lives, and it is a beautiful way
to start the New Year.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Katrina Steingraeber
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