6 Ideas for Celebrating Epiphany at Home
Epiphany most simply means ‘whoa!’ When we say we have had an epiphany we are saying that we have had a significant realization. The feast of Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th, and it was continues as an adventurous significant tradition among Christians across the world.
In the church we focus on the arrival of the Magi, the Wise Ones, who came from far away to honor the young Jesus, bringing gifts for a newborn king. The season of ordinary time that follows until Lent, is not an official season, but continues Epiphanal themes of revelation and discipleship – such as the voice from the heavens at Jesus’ baptism, the witness of Anna and Simeon, and the Transfiguration. You can learn more about the wide array of church and cultural traditions that surround the Epiphany here and here.
Next year we are hopeful that we can have an Epiphany Party including a family friendly worship service, festive foods, and a big fire. This year, we invite you to try something new for Epiphany at home. Here are six ways you could invite the light and love of the Epiphany into your heart this week, or sometime between now and Candlemas (February 2).
- Worship! Say, watch, or listen to Evening Prayer. Epiphany is connected with light that shines in the night, so a dedicated time of prayer after dark is a wise choice. Light some special lights (candles or other ones). If your Prayer Book skills are hearty, then open up that prayer book and Bible. If you want a bit more assistance, Mission St. Clare is glad to assist: here is the whole setting, with music, for you to pray. Our Prayer During the Day service, streamed weekdays on Facebook, will be celebrating the Epiphany on the 6th. Lastly, look for the podcast ‘an Evening at Prayer’ Episcopal Evening Prayer to listen to an Epiphany service – and be sure to get out some colorful art supplies to keep your whole body attuned to the experience.
- Feast! There are truly hundreds of different food traditions connected to the Epiphany. King Cakes (also associated with Shrove Tuesday) take many forms but always are sweet and have a hidden surprise. There are also Yule Log cakes, and cornmeal fruitcakes. Savory traditions include chicken soups, tamales, and local spicy dishes. There are also beverage traditions including spiced hot beverages and not surprisingly, sparkling wines. Is there a favorite dish or beverage in your life that is fiery or makes you think of royalty or the stars in the heavens? Fancy s’mores?
- House Blessing! The prayers for ‘chalking’ the home were included in the back of the ‘Heaven and Nature Sing’ devotional, or you can find more information here. Find some chalk and set your intention for this new year.
- Learn! Whoever and however many the Magi were, and whenever they greeted Jesus, what surrounds them are all sorts of sources for some learning. What are the traditions around the Magi, and the places they could be from, and the benefits of the gifts – for example one of the gifts is anti-fungal! And did you know that the Vatican has an observatory and priestly astronomers?
- Fire and Boom! Burning of the greens is one Epiphanal season tradition – if you can safely. The yule log tradition was not originally about a cake, it was about a special log to burn. And, slightly different, but related, in some regions pinata’s are a part of Epiphany celebrations. Confetti poppers anyone?
- Story! Is there a movie you could watch or a book you could re-read that is about a long journey, big revelations, or space? Or a book you could revisit? This might be a good moment to dig into our first book for the Narnia 2022 series – the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Why might it connect to ideas of revelation, redirection, wisdom, and new royalty?
Whatever ways you choose to honor the Epiphany, may it nourish your heart and shape your actions in Jesus’ way of love.