topic Re: Happy Epiphany (January 6) in Community Chat

Happy Epiphany (January 6)

Oznell — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 01:34:44 GMT

Confusingly, different countries and traditions seem to have different ideas of when 12th night falls, but one of the sturdiest traditions is that it is January 6, or "Three Kings Day".

In Britain of old, this was the last day of Christmas, as Samuel Pepys, the celebrated 17th century diarist, believed, according to a fun little BBC article. He wrote about it as a time for celebration and feasts. It was also the time for putting away decorations.

My mother always insisted on keeping decorations up till 12th night. I used to as well, but in the last few years, I've wanted to take them down at New Years' or even slightly before. "Clear the decks" and all that. But I like the tradition.

At least we're keeping our outside Christmas lights glowing until tomorrow morning, then we'll douse them until next year. That's my contribution to Twelfth Night...

Happy Epiphany!

Re: Happy Epiphany (January 6)

cherry — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 01:39:26 GMT

This is the visit of the magi. In Spain, and other parts of the world, this is the night for gift giving. The magi bring children gifts , instead of Santa Claus.

Re: Happy Epiphany (January 6)

AuntG — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 01:39:50 GMT

Yes, I suppose I should take our tree down this weekend. I enjoy the Christmas lights but another season has ended and I need to put things away.

Re: Happy Epiphany (January 6)

ValuSkr — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 01:46:46 GMT

Thank you for the reminder. I removed most indoor decorations this week, but left lights up indoor and out. For the lights, I wanted to wait until after the 12th Day.

Re: Happy Epiphany (January 6)

cherry — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 01:48:26 GMT

This is also a Polish custom

In Austria, at Epiphany, some people write a special sign in chalk over their front door. It's a reminder of the Wise Men that visited the baby Jesus. It's made from the year split in two with initials of the names that are sometimes given to 'the three wise men', Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar, in the middle. So 2014 would be: 20*C*M*B*14. The sign is meant to protect the house for the coming year. Some parts of Germany also have the tradition of marking over doors.

Re: Happy Epiphany (January 6)

golding76 — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 03:48:11 GMT

So nice to have others with whom to celebrate! I am Greek Orthodox and grew up celebrating Epiphany or, as we term it, the Feast of the Holy Theophany. Below is an explanation. My lights -- inside and out -- are always up until January 7.

Feast of the Holy Theophany of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ

January 6

INTRODUCTION

The Feast of the Holy Theophany (Epiphany) of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated each year on January 6. The Feast commemorates the Baptism of Christ and the divine revelation of the Holy Trinity. At the Baptism of Christ, all three Persons of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—were made manifest. Thus, the name of the Feast is Epiphany, meaning manifestation, or Theophany, meaning manifestation of God.

Re: Happy Epiphany (January 6)

sunshine45 — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 03:55:53 GMT

Re: Happy Epiphany (January 6)

croemer — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 04:29:13 GMT

It would have been my mother's 83rd birthday today.

Re: Happy Epiphany (January 6)

golding76 — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 04:31:49 GMT

She had a blessed day for a birthday, croemer. May her soul rest in peace.

Re: Happy Epiphany (January 6)

croemer — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 04:50:02 GMT

@golding76 wrote:
She had a blessed day for a birthday, croemer. May her soul rest in peace.

TY Goldie.

Re: Happy Epiphany (January 6)

Twins Mom — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 04:54:30 GMT

I would love to keep my decorations up a bit longer, but I have to begin purging, cleaning and organizing, and that is not possible with Christmas unpacked, etc. So today is a sad day as I slowly and lovingly pull items and pack them for another year.

On a side note, I noticed when packing a lovely ornament that had a large dark flat surface on it that ornaments hanging on the tree collect dust! Before packing, I started dusting ornaments. I sure hope that as part of my legacy my family remembers how I cherished each ornament in hopes that it would mean something to them in the future.

So glad to hear that many of you enjoy these days to Epiphany and beyond.

Re: Happy Epiphany (January 6)

beach-mom — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 07:06:12 GMT

@Oznell - Thank you for the information!

I follow my mother's (and grandmother's) traditions - no decorations up until Thanksgiving Day, and nothing down until January 6. We usually have a special remembrance time in our family, but since it's Friday night, we're all scattered.

I was upset that Sirius didn't leave their holiday stations up until New Year's Day at least. I guess they start playing the music earlier and earlier each year and it goes away the day after Christmas.

This season seemed rushed to me. I like to take a few evenings and just appreciate the tree and the lights, but it was a busy time. I did look at it tonight for a while to try to take it all in. Most of our neighbors still have their outside lights on. Our window candles, wreath, and front porch trees will stay up until the middle of February.

One year a long time ago, Yankee candle made a "Twelve Days of Christmas" votive set. I gave it to my mom. She lit the first one Christmas night, and one every day until the 6th. I wish they'd do something like that again!

Re: Happy Epiphany (January 6)

Pook — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 12:01:11 GMT

My maternal grandparents were from Italy and it was La Bifana who came on 12th night. The back story is that the wise men stopped at La Bifina's (who was said to be a witch who rode a broom) on their way to find the child king and she refused to come out and help them. She regretted that decision so she got a basket of goodies and went to find them but never did so she left the goodies with young children she met along the way hoping one was "the baby". She did this every year after and brought sweet treets to the good and coal to the bad and as my grandmother would tell it she switched the bad children with her broom also. My grandmother always had a broom in the corner before Christmas as a reminder to us to be extra good!!! We would get a stocking with Torrone and fruit from La Bifana.

Re: Happy Epiphany (January 6)

Oznell — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 12:40:08 GMT

I so enjoyed hearing all your thoughts, and your various traditions and practices at this meaningful time of year-- thanks!

Re: Happy Epiphany (January 6)

Poodlepet2 — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 13:36:53 GMT

In Louisiana-I was born in New Orleans and grew up there-the Feast of the Epiphany is celebrated in grand style....the Twelfth Night Revelers officially launched the social and Mardi Gras Season with a very formal Ball....King Cake can now be found in groceries and bakeries all over and will be there until Ash Wednesday.

Oznell, is there any special pastry like King Cake in the UK?

I am rusty on my French, but the saying is "Let the good times roll!"

Poodlepet2

Re: Happy Epiphany (January 6)

meallen616 — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 16:25:49 GMT

Re: Happy Epiphany (January 6)

cherry — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 16:45:15 GMT

@Poodlepet2 This is served in France and England

On Sunday, in thousands of French homes – and hundreds of English ones – a flaky cake known as a galette des rois (kings’ tart) will be served. Tradition has it that if you find a tiny figure in your slice, you are king or queen for the night, and you’re given a golden crown.

Galette Des Rois

Re: Happy Epiphany (January 6)

SahmIam — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 17:18:38 GMT

: )

This weekend the decorations will come down; I always wait till the day after the Epiphany to start.

Re: Happy Epiphany (January 6)

Oznell — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 17:40:33 GMT

Poodlepet2, I was only vaguely aware of the cake tradition in Europe; trust our cherry to have the fascinating low-down!

It's neat that you are from New Orleans. For some years I worked on Canal Street (not downtown, way out the other way) and it was such fun to go with co-workers to a local corner store and get King Cake. I hunted and hunted for the "baby" but am not sure I ever got it.

My other favorite N.O. traditions were trout meuniere and Delmonico "fluff" at Delmonico's, and listening to jazz pianist "Tuts" Washington at the Pontchartrain...

Re: Happy Epiphany (January 6)

Oznell — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 17:42:17 GMT

meallen616, I have been noticing your graphics that you have put up in various threads; they are beautiful.