How do we celebrate Epiphany?

Epiphany is celebrated with special pastries in many countries, and children often receive small gifts in their shoes in honour of the Magi's gifts to the infant Jesus. The holiday also has a number of traditions involving water as a reflection of Jesus' baptism, including the blessing of houses with holy water.

What is eaten during Epiphany?

It's 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.

What are the 3 reasons to celebrate Epiphany?

How could you celebrate Epiphany with your family?

What two things do Christians celebrate at Epiphany?

Epiphany is celebrated 12 days after Christmas, on 6 January, and commemorates the visit of the wise men to the infant Jesus. Epiphany literally means 'revealed', and this day also marks the day when Jesus was revealed to the world. Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on this day.

Epiphany - Customs Around the World

What do you eat on 3 Kings day?

This Christian holiday is celebrated annually on Jan. 6. Celebrators usually eat a special kings cake or bread for the holiday. The ring-shaped sweet cake/bread usually has candied fruits and nuts on it, depending on the culture.

How do Catholics celebrate Epiphany at home?

Why is Epiphany 12 days after Christmas?

Christians believe that the 12 days of Christmas mark the amount of time it took after the birth of Jesus for the magi, or wise men, to travel to Bethlehem for the Epiphany when they recognized him as the son of God.

What is Epiphany chalk?

The practice is called “chalking the doors” because priests traditionally would bless the house and then use chalk to write above the main entrance the specific year, separated by the letters C, M and B (e.g., 20+C+M+B+20, for the 2020 blessing).

What do Italians do on the Epiphany?

In Italy, the Epiphany, January 6^th, is a national holiday, with banks, offices, and most stores closed. Festivities take place all around the country. On January 5, the eve of the Epiphany, many cities, especially in the northeast, celebrate with a bonfire in the town square, called falò del vecchione.

How do I bless my house Epiphany?

Bless, O Lord God almighty, this home, that in it there may be health, purity, the strength of victory, humility, goodness and mercy, the fulfillment of Your law, the thanksgiving to God the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. And may this blessing remain upon this home and upon all who dwell herein.

How do I bless my house?

As you mark the sign of the cross, utter a simple prayer asking God to bless the room. For example "In the name of Jesus Christ I ask for Your peace and joy to inhabit this room," or "May Your Holy Spirit flow through and fill this home up with Your Spirit."

How do you mark an Epiphany door?

Another form, for Three Kings day, is to mark the door with "IIIK" (the Roman numeral three followed by "K" for "Kings"). Chalking the door is done most commonly on Epiphany Day itself.

Is Epiphany always Jan 6?

Though overshadowed by falling so soon after Christmas, Epiphany is one of the three major Christian celebrations along with Christmas and Easter. It is always celebrated on January 6th and commemorates the presentation of the infant Jesus to the Magi or the three wise men.

Do Protestants celebrate Epiphany?

How is Epiphany celebrated? That depends on where you are and what kind of Christian you are. Most U.S. Protestants mark the day on the Sunday closest to Jan. 6 and it is usually limited to that day's church service and sermon.

Why is January 6 called the Epiphany?

Epiphany timeline

The earliest reference to Epiphany as a Christan Feast is by Ammianus Marcellinus, who assigns January 6 to both Jesus' birth and baptism. The pilgrim, Egeria, describes a celebration in Jerusalem and Bethlehem that she calls 'Epiphany' to commemorate the Nativity.

What gifts do you give for Epiphany?

Gift your family with three gifts of Gold (a family gift/activity), Frankincense (a Religious item), and Myrrh (gifts for the body) on Epiphany. Read the book “A Star from a Far” and have the Wise Men travel to the manger of your Nativity, moving a little closer each day.

How do you chalk an Epiphany door 2022?

Epiphany (also known as Twelfth Night, Theophany, or Three Kings Day) marks the occasion of a time-honored Christian tradition of “chalking the doors.” The formula for the ritual — adapted for 2022 — is simple: take chalk of any color and write the following above the entrance of your home: 20 + C+M + B + 22.

Do you give gifts on Three Kings Day?

Gifts: Gift-giving is a special part of Three Kings' Day and a way to celebrate the gifts given to the baby Jesus in the Bible. Children place their old shoes out before going to bed the night of Jan. 5, and in the morning, the shoes are filled with toys and gifts from the Three Kings.

What activities do they do on Three Kings Day?

For many families, Three Kings Day is as big of a celebration as Christmas Day. It's customary to gather with friends and family to celebrate, often by opening gifts, playing music, and sharing a large meal together.

Can you bless your own Epiphany chalk?

Below are the instructions on how you, too, can bless your home for the Solemnity of the Epiphany. You can use your own chalk and holy water. If you would like to get a printed copy of these instructions & chalk, you may come by our parish office during regular business hours.

Why do we bless chalk?

It has been a tradition in the Catholic Church to bless chalk at the Masses for Epiphany, and then use the blessed chalk as part of blessing one's home in the New Year.

How do Catholics bless their house?

In Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism, Anglicanism, Methodism and Orthodoxy, they are usually performed by a pastor who may sprinkle holy water (depending on denominational tradition) as he walks through every room of the house, accompanied by the occupants of the house, whilst praying for the occupants.

What does the Bible say about praying over your home?

Welcome God into your home:

2 Chronicles 7:15-16 “Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.”

How do you pray for protection against evil?

Lord God, I pray for Your protection as I begin this day. You are my hiding place, and under Your wings I can always find refuge. Protect me from trouble wherever I go, and keep evil far from me.