Epiphany
A Celebration of Christ’s Manifestation
Advent has come and gone. Christmas day is over. Now, we turn our eyes to Epiphany.
Have you ever heard the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas?" More than likely, you have. It's a fun Christmas song, to be sure, but there's more to the twelve days than that.1
The twelve days of Christmas mark the time after Advent. They include December 25th through January 5th and lead up to the Feast of the Epiphany, which takes place on January 6th. This is a time of feasting and celebration of the birth of Christ.
The word “epiphany” comes from the Greek word epiphaneia, meaning “manifestation” or “appearing.” The Feast of Epiphany is thus a celebration of Christ’s manifestation. In certain circles, this feast commemorates three things:
the visit and adoration of the Magi (Matthew 2:1–12);
Christ’s baptism, where the voice from heaven proclaims him to be the Son of God (Matthew 3:13–17);
and Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding at Cana, where he transformed the water into wine (John 2:1–12).2
There are two things that I appreciate about this time of reflection: First, it focuses on the glory of Christ. There is a lot of the Christmas season that is miraculous. Angels foretold the birth of Christ. Christ's conception was of the Holy Spirit. Angels appeared to shepherds. The events celebrated during Epiphany are also evidently miraculous and glorious — in some ways, perhaps more so. Wise men traveled far from the east, guided by a star, to worship a child. A voice spoke from heaven at Christ's baptism as the Spirit descended on him. Jesus did the impossible as he performed his first miracle. There is just something glorious about all these events.
Second, there is a focus on Christ’s appearing to others. The visit of the Magi marks the first time Christ was worshiped by Gentiles. Christ’s baptism marked the beginning of his public ministry. The transformation of water to wine was his first miracle. While Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ, Epiphany helps remind us of the life he lived.
I hope this post has given you something to reflect and meditate on during this season. During Epiphany, I will once again be posting reflections on Notes. My readings will be from God is in the Manger, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (passages included below).
Soli Deo Gloria,
Caleb Friske
Readings for the Twelve Days of Christmas and Epiphany from God is in the Manger, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer:
1 Peter 1:6–9 (December 25)
Matthew 2:9–12 (January 6)
If you want to learn more about both the song and the meaning behind the twelve days of Christmas, here is a link to a helpful article. This festival is primarily celebrated in Catholic and Orthodox circles. As a Baptist, there's a good bit there that I disagree with, but the information is interesting nonetheless.
William E. Addis and Thomas Arnold, A Catholic Dictionary (New York: The Catholic Publication Society Co., 1887), 307.