Epiphany

The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth." St. John 1.14

The original 12 days of Christmas, run from Christmas eve to Epiphany Eve.   Commemorated on January 6 in the liturgical cycle Epiphany Eve marks the end of the Christmas season, and  the beginning of the  Season of Epiphany, which ends on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday.   Also known as "Three Kings Day" and "Twelfth Day," the Feast of the Epiphany. celebrates the manifestation or revealing  of God in the form of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. 

The word epiphany means “manifestation” or “revelation". For at least fifteen hundred years Christians have celebrated "the showing forth of the glory of God in Jesus Christ. in  many different cultural and denominational traditions.  

In Western Christianity  the   visit of the  Magi or wise men  marks Christ's revealing himself to the gentiles. In Eastern Christianity, Epiphany puts the emphasis on the baptism of Jesus by John, with Christ revealing himself to the world as God's own Son.  Some  traditions  commemorate Jesus' miracle of turning the water in to wine as  signifying the manifestation of Christ's divinity..

 Readings for the feast of the Epiphany: Is 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; and Matthew 2:1-12


For more back ground and history link to Epiphany on the Living water Blog.