I wanted to wish everyone a happy Epiphany, and then I realized I wasn't 100% sure what that meant in the first place, though I have vague images of the 3 Wise Men dancing in my head. And while we're at it, what are the 12 days of Christmas besides just a silly song?
So... time to entrust our theological understanding to google, right?
Anyway, turns out I was right
"Epiphany is a Christian holiday that is commonly associated with the visit of the Three Kings to baby Christ. It is also the 12th day of Christmas, as popularized by the song. In essence, Christmas does not end for many Christians until Christ is revealed. In some Christian denominations Epiphany does not end until Lent begins."
I think that is a decent explanation of the 12 days of Christmas too, that Christmas is not just a day but a SEASON of celebrating Jesus' birth, which ends when he was revealed to the magii. Too bad everyone likes to celebrate the season starting at Halloween or Thanksgiving and are already putting away the decorations by the 26th! Seriously, on the second day of Christmas, I tried to find some decorations in WalMart and they were already being taken away for lawn and garden supplies.
I think it'd be interesting to think of some ways to incorporate the 12 days of Christmas into our family's Christmas celebration, though I don't think I have the discipline to only have everyone open one gift a day and wait for the big one until Epiphany (Sister Lynda's suggestion!!!). I'm thinking something more in line with a 12 days of Christmas calendar (you know, like an advent calendar but for the Christmas celebration itself)... maybe culminating with some sort of celebration on Epiphany itself.
This is what that same random web page reports other cultures do to celebrate Epiphany:
"In many Latin American households, children leave out their shoes with bits of hay for the camels ridden by the kings. They often receive gifts on Epiphany, or the Day of the Kings, and it is thought that the gifts are better if one leaves hay for the Kings’ mounts. The French often celebrate Epiphany by eating King’s cake or gâteau des Rois. Often a bean or a small toy is placed in the cake. The person who gets the slice with the hidden item is said to enjoy good luck for the year. Eastern Orthodox Churches find Epiphany particularly relevant as the revelation of Christ. A church celebration may include the blessing of the waters. The nearest body of water is visited, prayed over, and a crucifix is thrown into the water. If weather conditions permit, swimmers may try to retrieve the cross." Anyway, I think today I'll just settle for wishing everyone a Happy Epiphany and putting away our Christmas decorations.
(Source: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-epiphany.htm)
