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?
The Joycean epiphany has been defined as “a sudden spiritual manifestation, whether from some object, scene, event, or memorable phase of the mind – the manifestation being out of proportion to the significance or strictly logical relevance of whatever produces it”.
What does the Epiphany of Our Lord mean?
1. Epiphany of Our Lord – twelve days after Christmas; celebrates the visit of the three wise men to the infant Jesus. January 6, Three Kings’ Day, Twelfth day, Epiphany. Christian holy day – a religious holiday for Christians. Jan, January – the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice.
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 is the focus of epiphany?
Epiphany celebrates the manifestation of Christ to “all the nations,” including the Gentiles. By the fourth century, the festival became focused on the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem, for according to Scripture they were the first Gentiles to know and worship Jesus.
What is the significance of Epiphany in Christianity?
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.
Is Epiphany mentioned in the Bible?
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.
How do you celebrate Epiphany?
The epiphany feast completes the season of christmas by inviting us to discern the identity of the christ child. Three traditions—baking a kings’ cake, marking a door lintel with the magi’s blessing, and elaborating worship with lighted candles—help us interpret the christmas season appropriately.
How long is the season of Epiphany?
Epiphany means a sudden or great revealing or manifestation. It is celebrated in the Western Christian Church, on January 6th, and lasts until the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday. It represents the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles—the Gentile’s Christmas.
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.
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 an Epiphany service?
In Orthodox churches, Epiphany is also known as ‘The Feast of the Holy Theophany’ and it is as important as Christmas. During the services to celebrate Epiphany, on the eve of the feast and on the feast day, water is blessed (some churches only bless water at one service). This is to remember Jesus’s baptism.
What countries celebrate 3 Kings Day?
Let’s cover some of the different traditions in the countries where the Three Kings’ Day is celebrated:
- Mexico. The Aztec country celebrates this day by adding figurines of the Three Wise Men to the nativity on January 5. …
- Argentina, Paraguay & Uruguay. …
- Peru. …
- Puerto Rico. …
- Spain.
What are the twelve days of Christmas meaning?
What are the 12 days of Christmas? The 12 days of Christmas is the period in Christian theology that marks the span between the birth of Christ and the coming of the Magi, the three wise men. It begins on December 25 (Christmas) and runs through January 6 (the Epiphany, sometimes also called Three Kings’ Day).
How do you celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas?
Christians who celebrate the Twelve Days may give gifts on each of them, with each of the Twelve Days representing a wish for a corresponding month of the new year. They may feast on traditional foods and otherwise celebrate the entire time through the morning of the Solemnity of Epiphany.
Who are the 3 kings when Jesus was born?
Building a backstory. Later tellings of the story identified the magi by name and identified their lands of origin: Melchior hailed from Persia, Gaspar (also called “Caspar” or “Jaspar”) from India, and Balthazar from Arabia.