By now most North Americans have returned to work and/or school, taken down their tree and decorations and put the Christmas season behind them. The twelve days of Christmas are over and now we celebrate Epiphany. Churches celebrated the feast of the Epiphany on Sunday, Jan. 3. The official date of Epiphany is today, Jan. 6.
I thought I would do a little digging and see how it is celebrated in different parts of the world. Here in North America, I find that there is very little celebrating done on Epiphany.
On Epiphany we celebrate the three Magi or Wisemen arriving at the manger. The word Epiphany is from the Greek word meaning “manifestation”. We celebrate God’s presence on earth in the form of his son Jesus. The Eastern Catholic churches also celebrate the Baptism of Christ on this day with Theophany which means the manifestation of God.
Some cultures put more emphasis on celebrating Epiphany.
- The Door Blessing
Originating in Europe, families use chalk to mark their doorways. They say a prayer to welcome God into their home and ask him to bless everyone in it and those that visit. Using chalk, often blessed by a priest, the elder of the family will write “20†C†M†B†21”. It is the first two numbers of the year, the first initial of Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar followed by the last two numbers for the year. In between are crosses (†) to represent Christ.
The letters are also an abbreviation for “Christus Mansionem Benedicat,” Latin for “May Christ bless this dwelling.”
https://www.catholicnews.com/tradition-of-epiphany-door-blessing-with-chalk-is-symbol-of-hope-in-2021/
2. The King’s Cake
Families in different countries will bake a King’s Cake to celebrate with on Epiphany. The cakes are sometimes shaped as a crown or wreath. Something is often hidden in the cake; a tiny baby, a bean or some coins depending on the custom. Even at one time in Canada, in Quebec, families would bake a Gâteau des rois and hide either a bean or porcelain fish inside. The person who found it was king or queen for the day and treated like royalty.
“Epiphany with a gâteau des rois is a Catholic custom that originates from a Roman pagan ritual, which came to Quebec via France.”
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2018/01/06/575958258/quebec-s-galette-des-rois-tradition
I wonder if the idea of foil wrapped coins in our birthday cakes when we were growing up comes from this tradition.
Here is the recipe and cake that I made for today.
3. Gifts
Children in Spain and Latin American countries write letters to the Three Kings much like western children do for Santa Claus. On the eve of Jan. 5, children will leave drinks for the kings in hopes they will awaken to gifts the next morning.
In Italy, it is believed that a kindly witch, Le Befana, brings gifts to children on the night of Jan. 5. She had both the wisemen and the shepherds pass by her hut inviting her to join them on their way to see the baby born in the manger. She refused but changed her mind later and set off to bring the Christ child gifts. As she has never been able to find him, she instead brings gifts to the children.
4. The light
The three wisemen followed the star, a beacon of hope in the sky. It led them to a baby in a manger; a light for all the world. At Epiphany, some congregations gather for services of candlelight with readings, hymns and prayers.
According to Luke and
John, God’s appearance in
the person of Jesus is com-
parable to light entering a
darkened world.
https://www.baylor.edu/content/services/document.php/159118.pdf
We are encouraged at every mass to give our time, talents and treasures much as the three wisemen did and bring his light to others in our own lives.
Inspired by the God’s grace, we let our little lights of faith shine, that’s our response to God. Then we get out of the way and allow the Spirit to nurture an encounter with Jesus Christ.
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/the-epiphany-of-the-lord/
I plan to make a big meal, ice my gingerbread bundt cake and we’ll open some Christmas crackers. We can light some candles, say a prayer and, if I can find some chalk, write above our door.
I hope you find a meaningful way to celebrate Epiphany this year; follow these traditions or create your own.
Interesting traditions. Thanks Corinne.
It was quite interesting reading the different articles written about it.