Epiphany, January 6th, is a day that bridges two seasons. Officially it’s the last day of the Christmas season, but it also is be beginning of the season that follows. The word means ‘revelation’ and we Call it Epiphany because Jesus is ‘revealed’ to us and we realize that he his the Son of God.
The season after Epiphany is sometimes called the season of light–divine light that reveals Jesus to us. the Bible lessons during this season often tell stories of people realizing who Jesus is: the wisemen, Simeon & Anna, Peter and a miraculous catch of fish, healing stories.
Because the Season after Epiphany spans from January 7th to the beginning of Lent, it varies in length depending upon when Easter is. Officially the last day of Epiphany is the Shrove Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday).
A Seasonal Prayer
you may wish to include the following prayer as part of your household devotions during this season.
“Lord Jesus Christ, you come to the world and surprise us with your presence. Help us to look for you in our lives so that we can see where you are calling us. Amen”
Honoring the Season
- Ideas for Epiphany Day can be found in the Christmas Milestone
- It is an old eurpean tradtion to bless your home on Epiphany day or during this season. Here is a simple liturgy for an Epiphany home blessing. You will need a copy of the liturgy and a small piece of chalk. If you don’t have chalk you can use a marker on a piece of tape to keep the writing temporary.
- if you decorated your house with star ornaments, keep them up throughout this season.
- A good refrain to start household devotions during this season is
Jesus Christ is the Light of the world
A light no darkness can overcome - Baptism of Our Lord is the first Sunday after January 6th. Sometimes we move it to the following Sunday because we’re celebrating Epiphany on the first Sunday. On this day we remember Jesus’ Baptism and read one of the Gospel stories of how Jesus was baptized in the river by John.
- This is a perfect day to remember your own baptism. If you have a baptismal candle, be sure to bring it out on this day.
- You may choose to replace regular household devotions on this day with the Baptismal remembrance milestone that is available at the church.
- Tell the story of your or another household member’s baptism. In what ways were there similarities to Jesus’ baptism?
- set out a small bowl of water for devotions and invite everyone to dip their finger in the water and make the sign of the cross on someone’s forehead. Say
(name), remember your baptism and be thankful. - The ELCA has a nice resource for Living Our Baptismal Covenant
- Remember the promises that you or your parents/sponsors made at your baptism. Reflect on how you continue to do these. If you have children, how are you encouraging them in these promises?
- live among God’s faithful people;
- hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s Supper;
- proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed;
- serve all people following the example of Jesus; and
- strive for justice and peace in all the earth?”
- Transfiguration is the last Sunday in this season. On this day we read the story of how Jesus went up a mountain with some of the disciples and was “changed”–transfigured. It is the climatic end to this season of revelations, showing Jesus as something more than just another person.
- A cloud often serves as a symbol of God’s presence. In this story, the mountain is covered by a cloud. Try making some clouds out of cotton or paper. Pick up a bag of cotton candy to share on this day. Make some “cloud messages” by breathing on a cold window (or use a steaming tea kettle) to create a cloud and then write messages you think God would say to you.
- Shrove Tuesday is the last day of the Epiphany Season. It is the Tuesday immediately before Ash Wednesday. In some traditions this day is known as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday because it is a day to celebrate and eat sweet foods before Lent begins.
- Plan a Mardi Gras celebration for your household and friends. Be sure to get some Mardi Gras beads!
- Traditionally, sweet foods were made from all the sugar and fat in the house because these were things that weren’t to be kept at home during lent. There are several traditional foods.
- Paczki’s – a rich doughnut from Poland has become a favorite on this day. But if you can’t find them, any doughnut will be fine.
- Pancakes in England eating pancakes for dinner became a tradition. Consider serving Breakfast for Supper. Be sure to have some fruit toppings (and may some whip cream) to put on your pancakes to make them extra sweet and special.
- Bake a cake or a batch of your favorite cookies to serve as desert.
- Whatever you make, be sure to eat it all up b before the day is over so that you’re ready to begin Lent.