The Season of Epiphany

Epiphany, which means to show, is a season of light, when Jesus Christ is shown to be the light of the world. During Epiphany, God is made manifest (made obvious) through the flesh and blood presence of his son, Jesus, on earth.

During the Season of Epiphany, we follow the Wise Men as they follow the star to Bethlehem to find the Baby Jesus. We also follow the disciples as they learn to follow Jesus. We answer the question, "What does it mean to follow Jesus; what does it mean to go His way?"

The first celebration during Epiphany is the day of Epiphany itself, which Western Christians celebrate on January 6. That day, the festival of light, celebrates the visit of the three Wise Men to the Baby Jesus in Bethlehem. They may have come from the west, perhaps Iran, and followed a star in the sky which led them to Bethlehem.

The second celebration of Epiphany remembers that Jesus was shown to Simeon in the temple in Jerusalem by his earthly parents, Mary and Joseph. Simeon called Jesus "a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel."

On January 7, Christians celebrate the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. The Holy Spirit descended from heaven in the form of a dove, the heavens opened, and a voice spoke, saying, "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased." Jesus was shown to the crowds at the Jordan to be the Son of God.

Jesus was revealed as God on earth in the Transfiguration, when he was shown to be God to his disciples, as he was accompanied by Moses and Elijah on the mountaintop.

Beginning with the star that guided the Wise Men to Bethlehem, God fills the lives of Christians with his holy light during Epiphany so that his light can shine through them into the world.

The color of Epiphany is green.

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