Oh, happy day!

As I worked on this week’s post for our church blog, I wondered when exactly Ordinary Time would start.  Not Sunday.  That’s the Epiphany of the Lord.  Monday?  Even though it’s the baptism of the Lord?  Probably.

I was looking at the Word among us and found that Tuesday prayers reflect the first week in Ordinary Time.  So when does Christmas officially end? I wondered, and off I went into search and find mode.  So I googled when does Christmas start and end but round and round I went taking longer than anticipated until, finally, I was enlightened.

Then I read, Christmas begins at sundown on Christmas Eve and ends with the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord.  Great response.  Now I know for sure.

Funny that I’d never stopped to wonder why it was that, back home, folks celebrate Three Kings Day in a very big way.  It’s a rather complicated story to me related to finding the baby in cake served and then having to pay it forward by hosting another party for everyone.  I don’t even recall when the initial baby cake is served, so I guess this is a story for another time when I’ve checked it out.

Our principal used to do that to the faculty and staff at our public school.  But, while it was always fun to eat cake, it wasn’t so much fun to host a party ’cause I’ve always been a party pooper.  Still, it worked out well, since she’d have the baker place ten babies in the initial cake so that the expense and the responsibility would be shared, which was fine.

Oh, the memories!  But, while I’m at it, what is Epiphany?

I continued my searches.  And when I was nearly frustrated I remembered the source that never disappoints.

Fish eaters have the most gorgeous pictures with their explanations on the various topics!  I love their site!  And I found lots to read and share so, last night when Steven asked for this month’s issue of the Word among us to prepare for today’s readings, I waxed eloquent on the topic of Epiphany.

Wow.  I couldn’t believe I’d gone all these years without fully grasping the meaning of the twelve days of Christmas.  What an epiphany!  Yes.  I couldn’t resist the pun.  The ol’ pea brain is always blown away with every little (and big) morsel of knowledge gleaned.

Epiphany

The Epiphany of the Lord is celebrated in ways I never knew!  I couldn’t believe we’ve never discussed these traditions at church, so I kept my ears and eyes open during this morning’s Mass.

Yes, Fr. Xaviour talked about the Magi.  Yes, Jay Masterson had us sing We Three Kings.  But where was the tradition of the chalk and the gifts of the Magi, not to mention the Epiphany water that one takes home to bless every room in the house?

Customs and traditions (from Fish Eaters)

For families who practice traditions involving “the Magi” or “La Befana” leaving gifts for children, the day begins with the wee ones discovering what was left for them while they slept on Twelfth Night.

At today’s Mass, there will be a blessing of gold, frankincense, myrrh, Epiphany Water, and, after Communion, a blessing of chalk.  Bring small special items of gold to have with you during the Mass, and they will be blessed if they are exposed as you sit in your pew with them (wedding rings, rosaries, an heirloom piece of gold jewelry, for example).

When Mass is over, you will take some of the blessed chalk, frankincense, myrrh, and Epiphany Water home with you, so it’s good to bring a container to transport Holy Water and one to put some grains of incense and a piece of chalk into.  (Note: if you can, take and keep [five] pieces of blessed incense for your Paschal Candle this Easter.)

When you get home, sprinkle some Epiphany water (otherwise and afterwards used as regular Holy Water) in the rooms of your house to protect it and bring blessings.  This Holy Water recalls the waters of the Jordan, and is a visible reminder of Christ’s Divinity, of Jesus’s revealing Himself as God at His Baptism, when were heard the words from the Father: “This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.” This rite of blessing the home [is] led by a priest, if possible, or the father of the house if no priest is available….

Gifts of the Magi

While I love the idea of baking a Three Kings cake now that I have the recipe, what matters more is that I understand the meaning of Epiphany and the significance of the gifts of the Magi.  Although Steven and I like to keep Christmas year ’round, I find myself eagerly awaiting the Epiphany of the Lord again so that I can participate more fully.  Additionally, I look forward to being present at a Mass during which gold, frankincense, myrrh, water, and chalk are blessed and subsequently shared with the church community.  I want to live my faith by bringing home the gifts of the Magi, reciting the prayers, and blessing every room in the house!  After all, Epiphany is an extraordinary tradition with countless blessings for the entire year.

Prayers

Gracious God, thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ.  As we wait for the arrival of the Magi, we remember that you became incarnate for the forgiveness of sins and the victory over death— for us.  Help us to act as those who have been called by you to believe in Jesus Christ.  Help us to proclaim your good news to others even beyond this season.  In Christ’s name we pray (Rev. Dawn R. Sherwood).

Lord, let us join your messengers in bringing peace and joy into places overrun with despair.  Let us join their singing, proclaiming hope is found in you alone.  Let the whole world see your goodness, faithfulness, and love (Rev. Dr. Susan L. Moudry).

Loving God, help us to recognize your presence in all we meet.  Give us the wisdom to reverence you by serving our sisters and brothers.  In all we do, may love for you be our strength and our guiding star.  We ask this in your most holy name (Larry Livingston).

Loving God, Mary, Joseph and your Son, Jesus, were visited by the Magi.  They were poor and surely astounded by such wonderful gifts that were brought to them.  Yet they were a gift to their visitors from distant lands.  Open our eyes and help us to see the gifts of love that come our way, gifts that may be small in material value, but rich in love and faith (Fr. John Anglin, OFM).

January 22, 2012

After Mass, Ly Vu gave me the Epiphany prayer and a piece of pink chalk from the service she attended at St. Louis Cathedral in Austin.  What a thoughtful surprise!

 

January 5, 2014

In choosing to be born for us God chose to be known by us.  He therefore reveals himself in this way in order that this great sacrament of his love may not be an occasion for us of great misunderstanding.

Today the Magi find, crying in a manger, the one they have followed as he shone in the sky.  Today the Magi see clearly, in swaddling clothes, the one they have long awaited as he lay hidden among the stars.

Today the Magi gaze in deep wonder at what they see: Heaven on earth, earth in heaven, man in God, God in man, one whom the whole universe cannot contain now enclosed in a tiny body.  As they look they believe and do not question as their symbolic gifts bear witness: Incense for God, gold for a king, myrrh for one who is to die.

So the Gentiles who were the last become the first: The faith of the Magi is the first fruits of the belief of the Gentiles (St. Peter Chrysologus).

December 24, 2015

The whole round earth is thirsting for your birthday, Lord.  In that one happy day are contained all the ages to come (St. Ephrem of Syria).

January 3, 2016

The star beckoned the three wise men out of their distant country and led them to recognize and adore the king of heaven and earth.  The obedience of the star calls us to imitate its humble service: to be servants, as best we can, of the grace that invites all men to find Christ (St. Leo the Great).

Links of interest…  Baptism of the Lord…  Christmas novena (Nov 30-Dec 24)…  Christmastide: customs / days / foods / octave (more) / overview / twelve days (twelfth day)…  Epiphany: feast (Magi) / five inspirational quotes / four beautiful traditions / history / meaning / saints / seasonal customs…  Posadas (Dec 16-24)…  T. S. Eliot & dreading Christmas…  Three wise men: who were / where are the relics…  We three kings…  What became of the Magi after visiting Jesus…  What stars can teach us…  the Word among us…

WP posts…  Advent prayers…  Blue heaven…  Christmas blessings