Epiphany in United States
Quick Facts
Many people in the United States annually observe Epiphany, or Three Kings’ Day, on January 6. It is a Christian observance and a public holiday in the US Virgin Islands.Local names
| Name | Language |
|---|---|
| Epiphany | English |
| Epifanía | Spanish |
Alternative names
| Name | Language |
|---|---|
| Three Kings' Day | English |
| Día los Reyes Magos | Spanish |
Epiphany 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012Epiphany 2013
Sunday, January 6, 2013List of dates for other years
Epiphany,
commonly known as Three Kings’ Day in the United States, is on January
6. It celebrates the three wise men’s visit to baby Jesus and also
remembers his baptism, according to the Christian Bible’s events. The
United States (US) Virgin Islands observe the day as a public holiday.
Many
Christians in the United States remember the three wise men's (or
kings' ) visit to infant Jesus on Epiphany. ©iStockphoto.com/Jim Jurica
What do people do?
People from the US Virgin Islands celebrate Three Kings’ Day to emphasis and maintain their Latin American heritage and culture, especially on the island of St Croix where the day features parades, bands, food, music, and other types of entertainment. Although it is not a public holiday in other parts of the United States, many Christians take part in Epiphany activities such as:- Star processionals on the Sunday closest to January 6 for church services
- Parties or get-togethers to clean up homes after the festive season and put away Christmas decorations.
- Treasure hunts to find a figure of the Christ child.
- Epiphany luncheons, parties and celebrations among churchgoers.
- And Sunday school activities for children that focus on Epiphany, such as creating the star that led the wise men to Bethlehem.
Public life
Epiphany is a public holiday in the US Virgin Islands so shops, government offices and businesses are closed. Some businesses may close early the day before the holiday. It is not a federal public holiday in the rest of the United States.Background
Epiphany is one of the oldest Christian feasts. It was celebrated since the end of the second century, before the Christmas holiday was established. It is commonly known as Twelfth Night, Twelfth Day, or the Feast of Epiphany. It means “manifestation” or “showing forth”. It is also called Theophany (“manifestation of God”), especially by Eastern Christians. Epiphany also refers to the church season that follows the day.It commemorates the first two occasions on which Jesus’ divinity, according to Christian belief, was manifested: when the three kings visited infant Jesus in Bethlehem, and when John the Baptist baptized him in the River Jordan. The Roman Catholic and Protestant churches emphasize the visit of the Magi when they celebrate the Epiphany. The Eastern Orthodox churches focus on Jesus’ baptism.
Symbols
Various paintings, artworks and sketches show the three wise men and Jesus. Some paintings artworks show the three wise men on the way to Bethlehem or adoring baby Jesus. The kings are important because their visit illustrates that Jesus was the king of all kings who came for the Jews and the Gentiles.The star that guides the wise men to Christ also symbolizes Epiphany, as well as the three gifts they gave to Jesus: gold (fit for a king); frankincense (used to worship at a temple); and myrrh (used for embalming, as well as a salve for irritations such as diaper rash). Other paintings depict the story of Jesus’ baptism. Many Orthodox churches consider Jesus’ baptism to be the first step towards the crucifixion. The liturgical color for the Epiphany season is white.
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ReplyDeleteAllen Appel (b. January 6, 1945) is an American novelist best known for his series about time traveler Alex Balfour. In the series, fictional characters are interwoven with actual historical people and events.
ReplyDeleteHe graduated from West Virginia University in 1967 and moved to Washington, D.C., where he found work as an illustrator and photographer. He made his mark with a series of collage illustrations for the Sunday magazine section of The Washington Post, and this work led to his first book, Proust's Last Beer: A History of Curious Demises (1980), a collaboration with writer Bob Arnebeck. Appel's imaginative black-and-white collages illustrated Arnebeck's profiles of people and animals.
A little-known holiday, Cuddle Up Day is also celebrated on January 6. Cuddle Up Day is the day of celebration when you want to spend your time with the person or thing you want to be with. This day is for both young and old. This gives you the chance to snuggle up your beloved or any thing or person you are closely attached with. Cuddle Up Day is not necessary that you have to cuddle up any human being:)))
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