Epiphany 2024

Epiphany – Sat. Jan. 6, 2024 

And suddenly the star they had seen rising went forward and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.
Matthew 2:9-11 

 

Holy Light of the Manifestations

Today, January 6 marks the Feast of the Epiphany. This year, many churches will observe this feast on Sunday, January 7.

Growing up in an Italian and Irish family we celebrated all of the 12 days of Christmas and then looked forward to the Epiphany on January 6th. As grownups, my mom would continue this by getting together with me and some of the other family to celebrate Epiphany with breakfast or brunch.  

On this Epiphany, as with the last two since Mom died in June 2021, I have thought of those past Epiphany celebrations quite often. I appreciate more than ever how my mother kept the Christmas décor up through the entire Christmas season, rather than rushing to take it all down on December 26th. It is one reason why I continue to share about the 12 Days of Christmas every year!  

Several years before Mom died, one of my brothers put a small Yoda figurine in with the other pieces of her nativity. Mom kept it in there every year. On a memorable Epiphany in 2019, I made a fun little video of my sister, Mom and me all seeing “We Three Kings” as we moved her Yoda and the three Wise Men into her Nativity set to visit Baby Jesus.   

In subsequent years, my brother would sneak Yoda into the Nativity and wait for our Mom to find it. She would pretend to be annoyed but secretly she loved this little silly newer tradition.   

More on Epiphany 

The Epiphany recalls the visit of the Magi, the three wise men, to the Christ Child in Bethlehem. It is also about the revelation of the Jesus Christ to everyone who is in darkness. This day is a reminder that anyone can choose to follow the light of Christ, to follow in his ways and share His love with those around them.  

The Epiphany celebration was originally observed in the Eastern Church in 361 AD. It began as a commemoration of the birth of Christ with other events added later. These include the visit of the Magi, the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River and Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding in Cana (transubstantiation of water into wine).   

As we close this Christmas season, I consider that the meanings of Epiphany include the baptism and the first miracle of Christ. When I look at  the ornaments, the nativity, the snowmen and Santa’s, I am reminded we can relive this every time we attend Mass because it affords us the opportunity to renew our baptismal vows and receive the body and blood of Christ. This is a way for us to keep Christmas spirit going throughout the year.  

Happy Epiphany!
Karen  

 

We Three Kings 

We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar.
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, 
Following yonder star.