rkp@druwa.att.com (Russell Pierce) (01/03/91)
I'd like to know how many of you out there participate in any Epiphany traditions either in your homes or in your church. For those not familiar with Epiphany, it is celebrated on January 6 and is the date set aside to recognize the arrival of the 3 Kings to Bethlehem. In some religions, it is the date that commemorates the baptism of Jesus. While growing up, I never even knew what Epiphany was. It wasn't until I became a member of a church that had Epiphany as its name that I became familiar with the celebration (this a Lutheran church in the ELCA). In the past, we have done such things as burn the church Christmas tree on Epiphany while singing carols for the last time of the season. Now, since Denver has banned trash burning, we just cut some branches off the tree and make a small fire with those branches (hope we never get arrested). We then have a worship service using incense and readings about the 3 Kings (we have worked out a deal with a nearby Catholic church to borrow their censer each year for this service). During communion, children of all ages receive bread. This bread has been baked with 3 peas in it (to represent the 3 Kings). The 3 children who get the peas get to come up and wear crowns and be the 3 Kings for the rest of the service. If you have any Epiphany traditions you would like to share, please send me email (or post if you prefer). I will summarize to this newsgroup after a while. Thanks. -- Russell Pierce 1200 W. 120th Ave. ...!att!druwa!rkp AT&T Westminster, CO 80234-2795 (303) 538-2023
mib@geech.ai.mit.edu (Michael I Bushnell) (01/07/91)
In article <Jan.3.04.28.16.1991.14521@athos.rutgers.edu> rkp@druwa.att.com (Russell Pierce) writes:
I'd like to know how many of you out there participate in any Epiphany
traditions either in your homes or in your church. For those not
familiar with Epiphany, it is celebrated on January 6 and is the date
set aside to recognize the arrival of the 3 Kings to Bethlehem. In
some religions, it is the date that commemorates the baptism of
Jesus.
In the West (I don't know about the East), Epiphany is always on
January 6, and the Baptism of the Lord is the first Sunday after
Epiphany. This year, Epiphany falls on a Sunday, and Baptism is on
the next Sunday (the 13th).
In my old congregation in New Mexico, we celbrated Epiphany with an
evening service as long as I can remember. I don't know what they are
doing this year. I imagine they will not have a separate service,
since Epiphany falls on a Sunday. Epiphany also celebrates the
availability of the Gospel to the Gentiles (like me :-)). The word
means "appearance". Epiphany is when we celebrate the revelation of
the divine Christ to the Gentiles (represented by the magi). That was
usually the sermon topic.
In my new church in Boston, there doesn't seem to be any tradition of
a separate Epiphany service. (Obviously, we will have one this year,
so its kind of tough to know.)
-mib
--
Michael I. Bushnell \ This above all; to thine own self be true
LIBERTE, EGALITE, FRATERNITE \ And it must follow, as the night the day,
mike@unmvax.cs.unm.edu /\ Thou canst not be false to any man.
CARPE DIEM / \ Farewell: my blessing season this in thee!