Epiphany: Jan 6
A Celebration of the Incarnation
Scriptures & Collect
Isa 60:1-9
Ps 72
Eph 3:1-13
Matt 2:1-12
O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Traditions
12th Night Celebration
- Throw a party on the eve of Jan. 5 to mark the culmination of the 12 Days of Christmas and the eve of Epiphany. This is the time to feast, play, sing, and (often) to take Christmas decorations down or (safely) throw a giant bonfire to burn Christmas trees.
House Blessing/Chalking the Door
- A house blessing is an invitation for Jesus to be welcomed in your home. Chalk may be used to mark the occasion. Begin over a doorway with the symbols C + M + B to indicate the traditional names of the three magi (Casper, Melchoir and Balthasar) and also the first letters of the Latin Christus Mansionem Benedicat meaning “may Christ bless this house.” The current year may be added. See the Epiphany page for more details.
Remember the Magi (often called kings)
- make paper crowns
- save special gifts for this day
- place the wise men at the nativity scene
- go stargazing
Eat a King Cake
- A special “King Cake” often goes along with the Epiphany celebration. They are usually baked with a little surprise inside (such as a miniature figurine of the baby Jesus, a metal ring, or dried bean) Whoever receives the slice of cake with the surprise inside is crowned “King/Queen of Epiphany” and given “royal privileges.” See the Epiphany page for more details.
Read a Poem
More ideas HERE.
Church Calendar Resources
- Book of Common Prayer, 2019, ACNA
- Church Calendar Living channel on Slack
- Explore the All Saints Church Calendar section of our website
- Sacred Seasons by Danielle Hitchen
- www.ashleytumlinwallace.com