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Few evangelical Christians in America have heard of the holiday called “epiphany.” As a term, it comes from the Greek and means a disclosure or unveiling. In the history of Christianity, it has normally referred to the manifestation of Jesus as the King and son of God to the Gentiles at the visit of the magi, recorded only in Matthew 2. In the Eastern Church epiphany is celebrated in January as a day commemorating the manifestation of Jesus in many ways—the magi, his baptism, his first miracle at Cana. In other parts of Christendom, Epiphany primarily represents the coming of the magi to visit the Baby. Ace Collins writes: “Most Christian cultures teach that when the wise men, or Magi, completed their journey and located Jesus, an epiphany transpired. Many people consider this event to be the initial manifestation of Christ as Savior and King. The fact that foreigners, who probably knew little of the Jewish faith, traveled so far to honor this baby seems to foreshadow Jesus’ great mission to be a ‘light for revelation’ to all people (Luke 2:25-32). Maybe that is why Epiphany (celebrated normally on 6 January), little known as a Christian holy day in America, is so important to many Christians throughout Europe, Latin America, and elsewhere that they believe the events that transpired on this day are more consequential to the Christian faith than even the day of Christ’s birth.”
The great 4th century theologian, Augustine, helped to establish the importance of celebrating Epiphany. He romanticized the role of the Magi. Despite the lack of any evidence, it was he who celebrated them as royalty, kings if you will. There is no evidence that they were royalty from the East, nor that they deserved the title of kings. However, because of what Augustine said about the Magi, royalty throughout the Roman empire and into the Middle Ages, took 6 January each year as an opportunity to enhance their role in society. Collins observes that “By the Middle Ages, in much of the European world, Epiphany had evolved into something more like Mardi Gras than a holy day of Christian worship.” It was really not until the reign of Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert, in the mid-1800s, that Epiphany was restored as a true holy day. At that time, Epiphany was regarded as the final day of the holiday season, which began with Christmas Eve through Epiphany Eve, which “in its new form, became a time to once again gather as a family, take down the decorations and trees, and sing carols. With this transformation, Epiphany had finally become what the fourth-century leaders had wanted: a spiritual holiday.”
What are some of the celebrations associated with the observance of Epiphany?
- During Epiphany Eve services, prayers are offered, dried herbs are baked, filling homes with the pungent smell of spices. The letters C, M and B are written above the doors of homes, Latin for Christus mansionem benedictat, “Christ bless this home.” Some traditions have the letters represent the names of the three Magi—Caspar, Melchior and Baltasar. (This is merely a tradition, for we have no idea who the Magi were and have no certainty that there were three.)
- In some arenas, children put out food for the Magi and hay for their horses; then they expectantly go to bed. When the children awake, they note that the food is gone and in its place are gold coins.
- On 6 January in many German areas, children dress up as the Magi, follow a child who holds a large star and travel door to door until they find a home that has been previously designated as they place to find Jesus. They then leave their gifts, which are later passed on to the sick and the poor.
- In Argentina, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and parts of Mexico, Epiphany is called “King’s Day.” The wise men leave presents on the Eve of Epiphany, as they did 2,000 years ago for the baby Jesus. “King’s cake” is baked and eaten on Epiphany as well.
- In Spain and Italy, many children leave out shoes filled with barley for the Magi’s animals.
As a tradition, Epiphany has been a time to set aside all the cultural, racial and social differences and remember that Jesus came as a Savior for all people. When the Magi worshiped Jesus as a babe and offered their gifts, this was a powerful symbol that Jesus is for all people, regardless of their characteristics. We can learn much from the celebration of this holy day. Perhaps, it is one of those traditions that need to be restored.
See Ace Collins, Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas, pp. 89-94. |
