Posted on 01/06/2016 4:25:59 AM PST by cll
TODAY marks the official end to the Christmas season as Christians across the world celebrate the feast of the Epiphany.
The celebration falls on the 12th day of Christmas and marks the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist.
Pope Francis will today hold the annual Holy Mass for the Epiphany in St Peter's Basilica in Rome marking a celebration that was first observed by western Christians in the 4th century.
The Epiphany also marks the visit of the three Wise Men to baby Jesus.
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Plus also the first miracle performed by Jesus in changing water into wine at Cana.
In Hartford, CT, there is a Three Kings Day Parade in the Puerto Rico section, on Park Street today.
It’s interesting that the tradition of the three Magi has lasted through the ages, but there’s no evidence anywhere to indicate that there were only three of them.
Yes, there is a story about a 4th wise man who missed meeting Jesus that was written by Henry Van Dyck.
There could have been 20 or 30 of them. The Bible doesn’t say exactly how many there were.
Epiphany on Jan 6 is the start of it's own season in the Liturgical calendar. I realize counting to 12 is hard, but Dec 25 is the First Day of Christmas, so day 12 falls on Jan 5.
We always leave our Christmas up until Jan 6th. And we do get odd looks here in the south where it’s considered bad luck to leave it up after Dec 31st
True enough. And the three gifts’ allusion to Jesus and his ultimate fate is fascinating. Gold is a symbol of purity and kingship, Frankincense was used to purify the Tabernacle and the Temple, and Myrrh was used in ancient times along with natron in the embalming process and as an analgesic. It was offered to Jesus along with wine prior to his crucifixion. The latter two elements are derived from plants in the south Arabian Peninsula (Yemen), eastwards from Judea.
The same to all my fellow Puerto Rico FReepers. Many of us may have left the island, but the island never left us. Que vivan los Santos Reyes!
We do the same at home. In fact, I could see a good number of houses in our neighborhood with their outdoor Christmas decorations still up (and the lights still on) as of last night.
I remember reading 4 years ago about public schools in Connecticut closing for the Epiphany due to the large Hispanic population.
The Catholic Church in the United States observes the
Epiphany on the Sunday closest to January 6 (or January 6 itself if the feast falls on a Sunday). The reason for this is that the Epiphany is not as important a holiday for American Catholics as it is for their fellow Catholics in places such as Spain or Latin America, so the Church leaders in the United States agreed to observe
the feast nationally within the context of a Sunday Mass when churchgoers in this country will be able to fully make the most of this beautiful holiday. This, of course, does not take away the fact that the traditional date to observe the Epiphany remains January 6.
The following Sunday commemorates the Baptism of the Lord, which marks the end of the Christmas season in the U.S. Catholic liturgical calendar.
I believe the reason the traditional number of Magi was set at three is because Jesus received three gifts from them.
And the story’s writer is apparently unaware that the Baptism of Our Lord is observed on the First Sunday after the Epiphany.
Pelican State ping
As we observe the Epiphany today, I wish all of you had a wonderful Christmas season.
Because a Roman emperor changed the dates to marry Christianity with pagan ceremonies.
That’s interesting. I didn’t know it was bad luck. I was raised in MS and have lived in Louisiana all my adult life. I just can’t consider taking down my nativity until after January 6. I just can’t! Then all the King Cakes start just after one makes all those new year resolutions. Had apple King Cake in the store the other day - Yum-smack, smack good!
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