Epiphany (/ɪˈpɪfəni/ i-PIF-ə-nee), also known as Theophany in the east, is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation (theophany) of God incarnate as Jesus Christ. … It is sometimes called Three Kings’ Day, and in some traditions celebrated as Little Christmas.
What is the spiritual meaning of Epiphany?
Epiphany is a Christian holiday primarily commemorating the Magi’s visit to the baby Jesus and the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. Eastern traditions, which usually call the holiday Theophany, focus on Jesus’ baptism, seen as the manifestation of Christ as both fully human and fully divine.
Why do we celebrate the Epiphany?
Known as Epiphany, or the 12th Day of Christmas, it commemorates how a star led the Magi, or the three kings or wise men, to the baby Jesus. … The celebrations commemorate the journey that three wise men are said to have taken to present the baby Jesus with gifts.
What are the symbols of epiphany?
The Epiphany is accompanied by various symbols and traditions among which we certainly remember the Comet Star, which guides the Magi to the hut in Bethlehem; the exchange of presents and gifts given to children.
Is Epiphany always January 6?
Though overshadowed by falling so soon after Christmas, Epiphany is one of the three major Christian celebrations along with Christmas and Easter. It is always celebrated on January 6th and commemorates the presentation of the infant Jesus to the Magi or the three wise men.
How long does the season of Epiphany last?
This season begins on the Sunday between January 2 and 6, or on January 6 itself if no such Sunday exists. The season runs until the first Sunday of Lent, which begins seven weeks before Easter (three days earlier than it does in Western Christianity).
What is celebrated at Epiphany?
What is Epiphany? Epiphany – also known as Three Kings’ Day – is a Christian festival, which starts on 6 January. It is a special date in the Christmas story as it’s when people celebrate how a star led the Magi – also known as the Three kings or the Wise Men – to visit the baby Jesus after he had been born.
When was Jesus actually born?
Some scholars think that he was born between 6 B.C. and 4 B.C., based partly on the biblical story of Herod the Great.
Is the word epiphany in the Bible?
Etymology and original word usage
The word Epiphany is from Koine Greek ἐπιφάνεια, epipháneia, meaning manifestation or appearance. … In the New Testament the word is used in 2 Timothy 1:10 to refer either to the birth of Christ or to his appearance after his resurrection, and five times to refer to his Second Coming.
Which star did the Three Kings follow?
The Star of Bethlehem, or Christmas Star, appears in the nativity story of the Gospel of Matthew where “wise men from the East” (Magi) are inspired by the star to travel to Jerusalem.
What is the color for Epiphany?
Advent and Lent are periods of preparation and repentance and are represented by the colour purple. The feasts of Christmas Day and Christmastide, Epiphany Sunday, Baptism of the Lord Sunday, Transfiguration Sunday, Easter Season, Trinity Sunday, and Christ the King Sunday are represented by white.
What does the liturgical color white mean?
It is an alternate color for the season of Advent. White. Purity, virginity, innocence, and birth, are symbolized with this color. White is the liturgical color of Christmas and Easter.
What does Candlemas mean?
Candlemas, also called Presentation of the Lord or Presentation of Christ in the Temple or Hypapante, Christian festival on February 2 commemorating the occasion when the Virgin Mary, in obedience to Jewish law, went to the Temple in Jerusalem both to be purified 40 days after the birth of her son, Jesus, and to …
What is the last day of Christmas called?
Twelfth Night (also known as Epiphany Eve) is a festival in some branches of Christianity that takes place on the last night of the Twelve Days of Christmas, marking the coming of the Epiphany.
What is celebrated on January 6th in Mexico?
Every January 6 we celebrate in Mexico the so-called Three Kings Day where the children wake up very early in the morning and run to open the gifts that the Three Kings of the East have left at the Christmas tree or near the representation of the Nativity.
Who celebrates Christmas on January 6th?
The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Christmas on January 6, along with the Epiphany (the revelation that Jesus was God’s son). Sunday was the earliest Christian celebration.