The THIRD SEASON of the church year is EPIPHANY.
The church calendar teaches and reminds us of the events in the life Christ, as well as the aspects of Christian mystery: preparation, incarnation, revelation, the life and death of Jesus of Nazareth, his resurrection and ascension, the coming of the Holy Spirit, the life of the church and of Christians in the world.
- EPIPHANY celebrates Christ’s divine power and glory revealed for all people. We see Christ as “The Light of the World.”
- The word EPIPHANY means making God manifest. EPIPHANY also means “showing forth,” “manifestation,” or “revelation.”
The season begins on the Day of the EPIPHANY (January 6 and often on a weekday) and lasts until the day before Ash Wednesday at the beginning of Lent. The number of weeks depends on the date of Easter Day, which is a function of the date of the spring equinox.
PURPOSE:
- It commemorates first Christ’s manifestation to the gentiles as the promised Messiah, and symbolized by the Three Wise Men, or the Magi who journeyed far to worship Jesus at Bethlehem.
- This season is a time to ponder the coming light to the whole world in Jesus Christ.
- It is a time to rededicate ourselves to our missionary tasks, spread the light of Christ’s forgiving and redeeming love.
Some also view it as “The church’s response to God’s Christmas” the primary theme is Baptism. For example:
- Beginning with the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (The feast day commemorating the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist).
- Gospels for Sundays after EPIPHANY center on other revelations: The marriage feast of Cana which signal the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.
LITURGICAL COLOR:
- The liturgical color used on vestments is generally green, representing the green things of God’s earth and referring to growth of the spirit of God within us in response to His coming at Christmas tide.
CUSTOMS:
- Epiphany cake
- Burning of the Christmas Greens
- Service of the Feast of Lights
Source: www.trinityhamilton.org; Seasons of the Church Year, (1995). Forward Movement Publication.