Epiphany - January 6

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/canada/epiphany

This is one of my favorite observances of the year.  Why? Because it pulls the magic of Christmas round into January and reminds us of the gifts that were brought by the Magi.  Also, because I am a chronic Christmas procrastinator, never on time for  delivering neighbor gifts or taking down decorations.  Observing Epiphany is my annual excuse to delay the inevitable need to move on.  Just taking a leaf from the book of the Wise Men.  They didn't make it for the actual advent, but they were just in time, none the less.

Note: Epiphany wraps up the celebration of the 12 Days of Christmas, which begins on December 25 and ends on January 5.  Twelfth Night and Epiphany coincide as a culmination of the holy days know as Christmastide. (1)

Side Note:  My dad converted from Catholicism to the LDS faith years ago.  Still, I find the ritual and history around certain Catholic observances both illuminating and comforting.

Origins

Epiphany is traditionally a catholic observance held on January 6th at the end of the Christmas Cycle (the Christmas Cycle begins with Advent, the first of four Sundays before Christmas) and is celebrated throughout Western Europe.

I love what Miriam Webster has to say about it:

Epiphany -
1.  capitalized :  January 6 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles or in the Eastern Church in commemoration of the baptism of Christ
2.  :  an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being
3.  a (1) :  a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something (2) :  an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking (3) :  an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure
    b :  a revealing scene or moment (2)

http://green-mom.com/topics/home-and-personal-care/clean-burning-candles.html#.Usi4mcu9KSM

Observances

Sharing the story of the Magi and the blessings of hospitality.   Lighting candles, eating Kings Cake, discussing what gifts of ourselves we can give this year.

From "Distinctive Traditions of Epiphany,"
by  Amber and John Inscore Essick

Peace be with this house and all who dwell in it,
and peace to all who enter here.
In keeping the feast of Epiphany, we celebrate
* the Magi’s search for the infant king,
* the Christ child’s appearing to the world, and,
* the peace and hospitality shared between the Magi and the Holy
   Family.

Let us hear again the Magi’s story:

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Matthew 2:1–12

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God...
May this home in the coming year be a place where Christ is pleased to dwell.
May all our homes share the peace and hospitality of Christ which is revealed in the fragile flesh of an infant. Amen.  (3)

Food

King's Cake - Your favorite cake or cupcake recipe baked with a surprise inside.  One gold coin (a plastic one can be found at the dollar store, or another coin can take it's place) signifying the Magi's gift, is hidden somewhere in the cake.  The one who finds the coin gets to a. Read the story of the Magi from the Bible (Matthew 2:1–12), or b. Act the role they wish to play in a performance of the story.

http://designurge.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Chocolate-Chocolate-Cake.jpg 

Festivities

Deliver any neighbor gifts that haven't gone out yet.  Make a tradition of saving this practice for this time of year to lengthen out and simplify the holiday season.
Perform the story of the Magi from the bible as a post-Christmas pageant.
Make and light candles in remembrance of the star that lead the way for the wise men.

Resources

1. http://www.holytrinitygerman.org/xmascustoms.html#twelvedays
2. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epiphany
3. http://www.baylor.edu/content/services/document.php/159118.pdf