Epiphany
Tomorrow, January 6, is the traditional day to celebrate Epiphany, where the Three Kings bring gifts. Some countries celebrate "Little Christmas," where the Kings bring gifts. Some people will chalk their homes with C + M + B. Some people will eat Kings Cake which we in the United States associate more with Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday. Some cultures will partake in mumming, drinking wassail, Yule Logs, fruitcake, Three King processions. In some countries, it is a National Holiday, businesses are closed, and the children have no school. In some countries, it is the beginning of Carnival. This is the day to take down your Christmas decorations in some countries.
In some churches, the people will hear The Announcement of Easter and Moveable Feasts which gives the dates of Ash Wednesday, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost, etc. In some countries, the priest will throw a cross into a lake or some body of water, and young men will jump in to see who can retrieve the cross first. I would suspect it is similar to our polar plunge. In some countries, there is the blessing of water(s) which is significant, closely related to the Baptism of the Lord. So interesting! Do you have any unique traditions for celebrating Epiphany? Whether you celebrate or not, we thank God for manifesting himself to the entire world! Jesus came to save everyone because he loves us so much! To celebrate, I have a unique contribution to our Wednesday Worship. "O Holy Night" played by the Raleigh Ringers. Some arrangements of this song speak about the Three Kings bringing their gifts.