A Place Where Jesus is LORD
People are Loved
And His Kingdom is Advanced
EPIPHANY
The Feast Of The Three Kings
Epiphany is celebrated 12 days after Christmas (2021 it will be the 6th of January) and is the time when Christians remember the Wise Men (also sometimes called the Three Kings) who visited Jesus.
Epiphany is also when some Churches remember when Jesus was Baptised, when he was about 30, and started to teach people about God. Epiphany means 'revelation' and both the visit of the Wise Men and his Baptism are important times when Jesus was 'revealed' to be very important.
Some Churches celebrate the use Epiphany to celerate and remember both the visit of the Wise Men and Jesus's Baptism.
Epiphany is mainly celebrated by Catholics and Orthodox Christians. It's a big and important festival in Spain, where it's also known as 'The Festival Of The Three Magic Kings', and is when Spanish and some other Catholic children receive their presents - as they are delivered by the Three Kings.
In Spain on Epiphany morning you might go to the local bakers and buy a special cake called Roscon (Meaning a ring shaped roll). They are normally filled with cream or chocolate and are ecorated with a paper crown. There is normally a figure of a king (if you find that you can wear the crown) and a dried bean (if you find that you are meant to pay for the cake). In Catalonia it's known as a Tortell or Gateay des Rois and is stuffed with marzipan.
In France you might eat a Galette des Rois, a type of flat almond cake. It has a toy crown cooked inside it and is decorated on top with a gold paper crown.
There are similar traditions in Mexico where Epiphany is know as El Dia de los Reyes (the day of the Three Kings). Its traditional to eat a special cake called Rosca de Reyes (Three Kings Cake). A figure of Baby Jesus is hidden inside the cake. Whoever has the baby Jesus in their piece of cake is the 'Godparent' of Jesus for that year.
In Portugal, people take part in Epiphany carol singing known as the Janeiras (January songs). On the Island of Maderia they are known as the Cantar os Reis (singing of the kings).
In Italy, some children also get their presents on Epiphany, but they believe that an old lady called 'Befana' brings them. Children put stockings up by the fireplace for Befana to fill.
In Austria, at Epiphany, some people write a special sign on chalk over their front door. It's a reminder of the Wise Men that visited the baby Jesus. It's made form the year split in two with initials of the names that are sometimes given tot he Three Wise Men, Caspar Melchior and Balthazar, in the middle. So 2021 would be: 20*C*M*B*21. The sign is meant to protect the house for the coming year. Some parts of Germany also have the tradition of marking over doors. The 'Four Hills' Ski Jumpint Tournament also finishes of January 6th in Bischofshofen, Austria.
At Epiphany in Belgium, children dress of as the three Wise Men and go from door to door to sing songs and people give them money or sweets, kind of like Trick or Treating on Halloween. Children in Poland also go out singing on Epiphany.
In Ireland, Epiphany is also sometimes called Nollaig ne mBean, or Women's Christmas. Traditionally the women get the day off and men do the housework and cooking. It is becoming more popular and many Irish women now get together on the Sunday nearest Epiphany and have tea and cakes.
In the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (which celebrates Christmas on January 7th), twelve days after US Christmas, on the 19th of January, the three day celebration of Ethiopians Timkat starts. This celebrates Jesus's baptism.
In New Orleans, Louisiana, on Epiphany the Christmas Tree is either taken down or the ornaments are replaced with Purple Gold and Green ones and it's then called a Mardi Gras Tree. People also like to eat 'King Cake' (a cinnamon pastry with sugar on top and sometimes filled with sweetened cream cheese or jelly/jam). The King Cake will have a little plastic baby doll inside (which represents Jesus); whoever gets the piece with the baby has to supply the next King Cake. Some people have a King Cake Party every Friday before Lent.
Epiphany Eve (also known as Twelfth Night) marks the end of the traditional Christmas celebrations and is the time when you were meant to take Christmas decorations down - although some people leave them up until Candlemass.
HISTORY OF EPIPHANY
Epiphany may have originated in the Greek-speaking eastern half of the Roman Empire as a feast to honor the baptism of Jesus. Around 200 AD, Clement of Alexandria wrote that, "But the followers of [the early Christian Gnostic religious teacher] Basilides celebrate the day of His Baptism too, spending the previous night in readings. And they say that it was the 15th of the month Tybi of the 15th year of Tiberius Caesar. And some say that it was observed the 11th of the same month." The Egyptian dates given correspond to January 6 and 10. The Basilides were a Gnostic sect.
The reference to "readings" suggests that the Basilides were reading the Gospels. In ancient gospel manuscripts, the text is arranged to indicate passages for liturgical readings. If a congregation began reading Mark at the beginning of the year, it might arrive at the story of the Baptism on January 6, thus explaining the date of the feast. If Christians read Mark in the same format the Basilides did, the two groups could have arrived at the January 6 date independently.
The earliest reference to Epiphany as a Christian feast was in AD 361 bu Ammianus Marcellinus. The holiday is listed twice, which suggests a double feast of baptism and birth. The baptism of Jesus was originally assigned to the same date as teh birth because Luke 3:23 was misread to mean that Jesus was exactly 30 when he was baptized.
Epiphanius of Salamis says that January 6 is Christ's "Birthday; that is His Epiphany". He also asserts that the Miracle at Cana occurred on the same calendar day. Epiphanius assigns the Baptism to November 6.
The scope to Epiphany expanded to include the commemoration of his birth; the visit of the magi; all of Jesus' childhood events; up to and including the Baptism by John the Baptist; and even the miracle at the wedding at Cana in Galilee.
In the Latin-speaking West, the holiday emphasized the visit of the magi. The magi represented the non-Jewish peoples of the world, so this was considered a "revelation to the gentiles." In this event, Christian writers also inferred a revelation to the Children of Israel. John Chrysostom identified the significance of the meeting between the magi and Herod's court: "The star had been hidden from them so that, on finding themselves without their guide, they would have no alternative but to consult the Jews. In this way the birth of Jesus would be made known to all.
In 385 AD, the pilgrim Egeria (also known as Silvia) described a celebration in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, which she called "Epiphany" that commemorated the Nativity. Even at this early date, there was an octave associated with the feast.
In a sermon delivered on December 2, 380, St Gregory of Nazianzus referred to the day as "the Theophany", saying expressly that it is a day commemorating "the holy nativity of Christ" and told his listeners that they would soon be celebrating the baptism of Christ. Then, on January 6 & 7, he preached two more sermons, wherein he declared that the celebration of the birth of Christ and the visitation of the Magi had already taken place, and that they would now commemorate his Baptism. At this time, celebration of the two events was beginning to be observed on separate occasions, at least in Cappadocia.
Saint John Cassian says that even in his time (beginning in the 5th century AD), Egyptian monasteries celebrated the Nativity and the Baptism together on January 6. The Armenian Apostolic Church continues to celebrate January 6 as the only commemoration of the Nativity.
Epiphany is celebrated 12 days after Christmas (2021 it will be the 6th of January) and is the time when Christians remember the Wise Men (also sometimes called the Three Kings) who visited Jesus.
Epiphany is also when some Churches remember when Jesus was Baptised, when he was about 30, and started to teach people about God. Epiphany means 'revelation' and both the visit of the Wise Men and his Baptism are important times when Jesus was 'revealed' to be very important.
Some Churches celebrate the use Epiphany to celerate and remember both the visit of the Wise Men and Jesus's Baptism.
Epiphany is mainly celebrated by Catholics and Orthodox Christians. It's a big and important festival in Spain, where it's also known as 'The Festival Of The Three Magic Kings', and is when Spanish and some other Catholic children receive their presents - as they are delivered by the Three Kings.
In Spain on Epiphany morning you might go to the local bakers and buy a special cake called Roscon (Meaning a ring shaped roll). They are normally filled with cream or chocolate and are ecorated with a paper crown. There is normally a figure of a king (if you find that you can wear the crown) and a dried bean (if you find that you are meant to pay for the cake). In Catalonia it's known as a Tortell or Gateay des Rois and is stuffed with marzipan.
In France you might eat a Galette des Rois, a type of flat almond cake. It has a toy crown cooked inside it and is decorated on top with a gold paper crown.
There are similar traditions in Mexico where Epiphany is know as El Dia de los Reyes (the day of the Three Kings). Its traditional to eat a special cake called Rosca de Reyes (Three Kings Cake). A figure of Baby Jesus is hidden inside the cake. Whoever has the baby Jesus in their piece of cake is the 'Godparent' of Jesus for that year.
In Portugal, people take part in Epiphany carol singing known as the Janeiras (January songs). On the Island of Maderia they are known as the Cantar os Reis (singing of the kings).
In Italy, some children also get their presents on Epiphany, but they believe that an old lady called 'Befana' brings them. Children put stockings up by the fireplace for Befana to fill.
In Austria, at Epiphany, some people write a special sign on chalk over their front door. It's a reminder of the Wise Men that visited the baby Jesus. It's made form the year split in two with initials of the names that are sometimes given tot he Three Wise Men, Caspar Melchior and Balthazar, in the middle. So 2021 would be: 20*C*M*B*21. The sign is meant to protect the house for the coming year. Some parts of Germany also have the tradition of marking over doors. The 'Four Hills' Ski Jumpint Tournament also finishes of January 6th in Bischofshofen, Austria.
At Epiphany in Belgium, children dress of as the three Wise Men and go from door to door to sing songs and people give them money or sweets, kind of like Trick or Treating on Halloween. Children in Poland also go out singing on Epiphany.
In Ireland, Epiphany is also sometimes called Nollaig ne mBean, or Women's Christmas. Traditionally the women get the day off and men do the housework and cooking. It is becoming more popular and many Irish women now get together on the Sunday nearest Epiphany and have tea and cakes.
In the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (which celebrates Christmas on January 7th), twelve days after US Christmas, on the 19th of January, the three day celebration of Ethiopians Timkat starts. This celebrates Jesus's baptism.
In New Orleans, Louisiana, on Epiphany the Christmas Tree is either taken down or the ornaments are replaced with Purple Gold and Green ones and it's then called a Mardi Gras Tree. People also like to eat 'King Cake' (a cinnamon pastry with sugar on top and sometimes filled with sweetened cream cheese or jelly/jam). The King Cake will have a little plastic baby doll inside (which represents Jesus); whoever gets the piece with the baby has to supply the next King Cake. Some people have a King Cake Party every Friday before Lent.
Epiphany Eve (also known as Twelfth Night) marks the end of the traditional Christmas celebrations and is the time when you were meant to take Christmas decorations down - although some people leave them up until Candlemass.
HISTORY OF EPIPHANY
Epiphany may have originated in the Greek-speaking eastern half of the Roman Empire as a feast to honor the baptism of Jesus. Around 200 AD, Clement of Alexandria wrote that, "But the followers of [the early Christian Gnostic religious teacher] Basilides celebrate the day of His Baptism too, spending the previous night in readings. And they say that it was the 15th of the month Tybi of the 15th year of Tiberius Caesar. And some say that it was observed the 11th of the same month." The Egyptian dates given correspond to January 6 and 10. The Basilides were a Gnostic sect.
The reference to "readings" suggests that the Basilides were reading the Gospels. In ancient gospel manuscripts, the text is arranged to indicate passages for liturgical readings. If a congregation began reading Mark at the beginning of the year, it might arrive at the story of the Baptism on January 6, thus explaining the date of the feast. If Christians read Mark in the same format the Basilides did, the two groups could have arrived at the January 6 date independently.
The earliest reference to Epiphany as a Christian feast was in AD 361 bu Ammianus Marcellinus. The holiday is listed twice, which suggests a double feast of baptism and birth. The baptism of Jesus was originally assigned to the same date as teh birth because Luke 3:23 was misread to mean that Jesus was exactly 30 when he was baptized.
Epiphanius of Salamis says that January 6 is Christ's "Birthday; that is His Epiphany". He also asserts that the Miracle at Cana occurred on the same calendar day. Epiphanius assigns the Baptism to November 6.
The scope to Epiphany expanded to include the commemoration of his birth; the visit of the magi; all of Jesus' childhood events; up to and including the Baptism by John the Baptist; and even the miracle at the wedding at Cana in Galilee.
In the Latin-speaking West, the holiday emphasized the visit of the magi. The magi represented the non-Jewish peoples of the world, so this was considered a "revelation to the gentiles." In this event, Christian writers also inferred a revelation to the Children of Israel. John Chrysostom identified the significance of the meeting between the magi and Herod's court: "The star had been hidden from them so that, on finding themselves without their guide, they would have no alternative but to consult the Jews. In this way the birth of Jesus would be made known to all.
In 385 AD, the pilgrim Egeria (also known as Silvia) described a celebration in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, which she called "Epiphany" that commemorated the Nativity. Even at this early date, there was an octave associated with the feast.
In a sermon delivered on December 2, 380, St Gregory of Nazianzus referred to the day as "the Theophany", saying expressly that it is a day commemorating "the holy nativity of Christ" and told his listeners that they would soon be celebrating the baptism of Christ. Then, on January 6 & 7, he preached two more sermons, wherein he declared that the celebration of the birth of Christ and the visitation of the Magi had already taken place, and that they would now commemorate his Baptism. At this time, celebration of the two events was beginning to be observed on separate occasions, at least in Cappadocia.
Saint John Cassian says that even in his time (beginning in the 5th century AD), Egyptian monasteries celebrated the Nativity and the Baptism together on January 6. The Armenian Apostolic Church continues to celebrate January 6 as the only commemoration of the Nativity.
We are holding Church Services in the Sanctuary.
We now have shade cloth and large outdoor swamp coolers to keep everyone nice and comfortable in our Courtyard if you would like to rent our facility for an event.
You may view our services via Facebook or on this website also.
You may download our Millbrook Presbyterian Church COVISD-19 Prevention Plan and Staff, Employee, and Volunteer Online Training, on the FORMS page.
If you wish to become a volunteer please contact us via our contact page or call the church and we will email you the appropriate forms and have you come on down for an interview and to turn in your paperwork.
We encourage you to keep logging into our website or facebook page for updates.
Select Sermons will be available via our Facebook Page at the link below or under the "Sunday Service" tab above. If the link does not work just copy and paste in the search bar and hit enter and our page will come up.
https://www.facebook.com/millbrookchurchepc/
Keep safe and we will see you as soon as possible. Keep up to date on all of Millbrook Presbyterian Church activities on this website.
Donations are always accepted via the link below.
We now have shade cloth and large outdoor swamp coolers to keep everyone nice and comfortable in our Courtyard if you would like to rent our facility for an event.
You may view our services via Facebook or on this website also.
You may download our Millbrook Presbyterian Church COVISD-19 Prevention Plan and Staff, Employee, and Volunteer Online Training, on the FORMS page.
If you wish to become a volunteer please contact us via our contact page or call the church and we will email you the appropriate forms and have you come on down for an interview and to turn in your paperwork.
We encourage you to keep logging into our website or facebook page for updates.
Select Sermons will be available via our Facebook Page at the link below or under the "Sunday Service" tab above. If the link does not work just copy and paste in the search bar and hit enter and our page will come up.
https://www.facebook.com/millbrookchurchepc/
Keep safe and we will see you as soon as possible. Keep up to date on all of Millbrook Presbyterian Church activities on this website.
Donations are always accepted via the link below.
If you would like to donate via PayPal you may do so my sending your donations to: mpcepc1@gmail.com
You may set up reoccurring payments with PayPal in your own PayPal account to eliminate having to login each time you wish to donate.
You may set up reoccurring payments with PayPal in your own PayPal account to eliminate having to login each time you wish to donate.
Be sure to click on the Current tab, This and That tab and the Sunday Bulletin tab to keep up with the latest
Millbrook Presbyterian Church News.
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