Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: mib@geech.ai.mit.edu (Michael I Bushnell) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: What are your Epiphany traditions? Message-ID: Date: 7 Jan 91 04:09:23 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: /home/fsf/mib/.organization Lines: 33 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article 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!