Epiphany? What is It? Why Do We Celebrate It?

On the Twelfth Day …

It is on Epiphany, the 12th day of Christmas, that “my true love sent to me, 12 drummers drumming, 11 pipers piping, ten lords a ’leaping” and so forth. The gifts described in the song would cost $107,300 today since by the twelfth day, 364 presents would have been delivered, according to PNC Wealth Management’s annual "Christmas Price Index." The recipient would have to rent a storage unit and a lake to contain the bounty, notes Scott Meslow at This Week. The 42 total swans given (six per day for seven days) are the most expensive gift at $1,000 each or $42,000. The tab dips slightly if you agree with Mike Bergin of the 10,000 Birds website that the "five golden rings" are ring-necked pheasants, not jewelry (the recipient ends up with 40 of them as well as 40 maids a’milking). He also says it’s not "four calling birds," but actually "four colly birds" or blackbirds (and a total of 36 of them by the end of the song).

Famous Epiphanies

The word epiphany comes from the ancient Greek and means a sudden, brilliant realization – the light bulb over cartoon characters’ heads when they experience a sudden revelation. Archimedes’ realization of how to determine the density of an object came in such a flash of brilliance, he wrote. Sir Isaac Newton experienced an epiphany when he suddenly grasped that a falling apple and Earth’s orbiting moon are both pulled by the same force – gravity. 3M-Scotch Tape chemist Arthur Fry describes his invention of the “Post-it Note” as a similar epiphany. The original January 6th Epiphany was when the wise men suddenly realized the babe in the manger was Almighty God who had come to live among us.

Coming of the Maji or Jesus' Baptism?

Roman Catholics commemorate Epiphany as the coming of the wise men or Magi. Greek Orthodox churches also celebrate on Epiphany the baptism of Jesus at age 30 and His first miracle at the wedding at Cana when He turned water into wine. In both traditions, the idea is the same: the revelation of Christ to the world -- whether as an infant or as a 30-year-old. On the Feast of the Epiphany, priests traditionally bless water, frankincense, gold, myrrh and chalk which is used to write over doorways Christus mansionem benedicat, Latin for "may Christ bless the house." During the Middle Ages, back before calendars were common, the priest would announce on Epiphany that year’s date for Easter, Ash Wednesday, Ascension Day, Pentecost, and the First Sunday of Advent for the new year. Russian Orthodox and many other eastern churches call the day “the Feast of Theophany.” The earliest reference to Epiphany is a remark by St. Clement of Alexandria who lived between A.D. 150 and 210. The feast was also mentioned by Ammianus Marcellinus in A.D. 361.

The Day of the Kings

In Argentina, the day is called Día de los Reyes or The Day of Kings, commemorating the arrival of the wise men. Children leave their shoes by the door, along with grass and water for the wise men’s camels. In the morning, they get a present and eat a "Rosca de Reyes," a ring-shaped Epiphany cake while helping put away the family’s Christmas decorations. In the Netherlands, children in groups of three (symbolizing the wise men) proceed in costume from house to house, carrying a paper lantern and singing songs. They receive a coin or, in some areas, a Koningentaart puff pastry with a bean or coin hidden inside. Whoever finds the bean is king or queen for the day. In the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the feast is known as Timkat. In Bulgaria and many other eastern European cultures, priests throw a golden cross into a nearby river or lake. Young men then jump into the icy waters to "save" the cross. The person who gets the cross first swims back and returns it to the priest, who then delivers a special blessing to the swimmer and his household. Water blessed on that day is known as "Theophany Water" and is taken home by the faithful, used with prayer as a blessing.

Yule Log

In England in years past, the Yule log was left burning until Epiphany, and the charcoal left was kept until the next Christmas to kindle next year's Yule log. Epiphany was also a day for playing practical jokes, similar to April Fool's Day. In Finland, star-shaped spice cookies are broken in the palm of one's hand, while making a wish. If the star should break into three pieces and all three are eaten without speaking a word, it is said that the wish will come true. In parts of southern India, Epiphany is celebrated in front of the local church like a fair. Families come together and cook sweet rice porridge called Pongal. Young boys in regal robes and crowns follow a parade route decorated with streamers, palm leaves and balloons with everyone shouting greetings to the Kings, whose families provide a lavish buffet to the community. The expense is undertaken gladly since having son serve as a king is considered a great honor and a blessing on the family.

Little Christmas

The Irish call Epiphany “Little Christmas.” Women traditionally enjoy rest and celebration after the cooking and work of the Christmas holidays. They gather for a special high tea accompanied by wine to honor the Miracle at the Wedding at Cana. They also receive gifts from their children, grandchildren or other family members. Another Irish tradition is burning the sprigs of Christmas holly in the fireplace and putting away nativity scenes and other Christmas decorations. In the Philippines, Filipino children leave their shoes out on their doorstep so the Wisemen will leave behind candy or money. In Poland, huge parades welcome the wise men who often ride on camels or other animals from the zoo and pass out sweets to children in Renaissance costumes singing carols.