Daily Readings for: January 08, 2012
(Readings on USCCB website)
Collect: May the splendor of your majesty, O Lord, we pray, shed its light upon our hearts, that we may pass through the shadows of this world and reach the brightness of our eternal home. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
- Brazilian King's Bread
- Cappelletti all'uso di Romagna
- Dutch King's Bread
- Epiphany Bread
- Fireside Punch
- Fresh Tomato Sauce
- Galette des Rois
- Gateau des Rois (1)
- Gateau des Rois (2)
- Kings' Bread Ring
- King's Ring
- Lamb's Wool (1)
- Lambs' Wool (2)
- Lamb's Wool, Non-alcoholic (1)
- Little Hats Cappelletti
- Mostarda di Cremona
- Rosca de Reyes
- Spanish King's Bread
- Spanish King's Cake
- Twelfth Cake
- Twelfth Day Cake
- Twelfth Night Bread I
- Twelfth Night Bread II
- Twelfth Night Bread of Lady Carcas
- Twelfth Night Cake
- Twelfth Night Cake
- King's Cake
- A Children's Party for Twelfth Night
- A Christmas Play
- Celebrating the Feast of the Epiphany
- Christmas and the Eucharist
- Day Fifteen ~ Activities for the Feast of Epiphany
- Epiphany Mass in an Eastern Rite
- Epiphany of Our Lord
- Epiphany Plays for the Family and Community
- Epiphany Suggestions
- Epiphany Vigil
- Epiphany, or the Manifestation of the Lord
- Family and Friends of Jesus Scrapbook Album
- Giving of Presents
- Kings' Party or Twelfth Night Party
- Meaning of Epiphany
- Singing and Acting
- Twelfth Night Cake And Kings
- An Epiphany Drama
- Crib Enthroned for Epiphany
- Epiphany Crib
- Epiphany Gift
- Epiphany Home Ceremony
- Epiphany Mass
- Epiphany Mystery Play
- The Wise Men, An Epiphany Legend
RECIPES
ACTIVITIES
PRAYERS
Christmas: January 8th
The Epiphany of the Lord Old Calendar: Feast of the Holy Family
Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Epiphany. "The Lord and ruler is coming; kingship is his, and government and power." With these words the Church proclaims that today's feast brings to a perfect fulfillment all the purposes of Advent. Epiphany, therefore, marks the liturgical zenith of the Advent-Christmas season. — Pius Parsch
The Solemnity of the Epiphany is celebrated either on January 6 or, according to the decision of the episcopal conference, on the Sunday between January 2 and January 8. The young Messiah is revealed as the light of the nations. Yet, as the antiphon for the Magnificat at Second Vespers reminds us, three mysteries are encompassed in this solemnity: the adoration of the Christ Child by the Magi, the Baptism of Christ and the wedding feast at Cana. Extra candles and/or lamps may be placed around the sanctuary and in other parts of the church to honor Christ revealed as the Light of the Gentiles (Ceremonial of Bishops). It is customary to replace the images of the shepherds at the crib with the three Magi and their gifts. — Ceremonies of the Liturgical Year, Msgr. Peter J. Elliott, Ignatius Press.
According to the 1962 Missal of Bl. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of the Holy Family. Ordinarily the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus is celebrated today but this year it is observed on January 2.
Click here for commentary on the readings in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.
The Fifteenth Day of Christmas
Solemnity of the Lord's Epiphany
Many traditions and genuine manifestations of popular piety have been developed in relation to the Solemnity of the Lord's Epiphany, which is of ancient origin and rich in spiritual content. Among such forms of popular piety, mention may be made of:
- the solemn proclamation of Easter and the principal dominical feasts; its revival in many places would be opportune since it served to make the connection between the Epiphany and Easter, and orientate all feasts towards the greatest Christian solemnity;
- the exchange of "Epiphany gifts", which derives from the gifts offered to Jesus by the three kings (cf. Mt 2,11) and more radically from the gift made to mankind by God in the birth of Emmanuel amongst us (cf. Is 7, 14; 9, 16; Mt 1, 23). It is important, however, to ensure that the exchange of gifts on the solemnity of the Epiphany retain a Christian character, indicating that its meaning is evangelical: hence the gifts offered should be a genuine expression of popular piety and free from extravagance, luxury, and waste, all of which are extraneous to the Christian origins of this practice;
- the blessing of homes, on whose lintels are inscribed the Cross of salvation, together with the indication of the year and the initials of the three wise men (C+M+B), which can also be interpreted to mean Christus Mansionem Benedicat, written in blessed chalk; this custom, often accompanied by processions of children accompanied by their parents, expresses the blessing of Christ through the intercession of the three wise men and is an occasion for gathering offerings for charitable and missionary purposes;
- initiatives in solidarity with those who come from afar; whether Christian or not, popular piety has encouraged a sense of solidarity and openness;
- assistance to the work of evangelization; the strong missionary character of the Epiphany has been well understood by popular piety and many initiatives in support of the missions flourish on 6 January, especially the "Missionary work of the Holy Child", promoted by the Apostolic See;
- the assignation of Patrons; in many religious communities and confraternities, patron saints are assigned to the members for the coming year.
— Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy
Things to Do:
- Read about the Epiphany, or the Manifestation of the Lord.
- For family activities please see the Blessing of Water and Chalk and the Blessing of the Home on Epiphany.