The Holiday Epiphany
Kerry Beck
Most families get so wrapped up celebrating Christmas, they miss the celebration of Epiphany. Epiphany is the time period after Christmas where we look at the coming on the Wise Men to worship Christ. Historically, the holiday Epiphany included the twelve days after Christmas when the church celebrates the revelation of Christ as the Light of the world and recalls the journey of the magi.
Families in countries different from the US start the Epiphany celebration by remembering others on St. Stephens Day. St. Stephen's Day is on December 26 and commemorates Stephen, Christian faith's first martyr. Family Bible reading on the 26th of December might include his life story in Acts 6, 7, & 8.
His convictions about the revelation of Christ in the world brought about his death. In the book of Acts, he was considered the first martyr among Christians. For hundreds of years, people of the Christian faith have remembered his faithfulness on December 26, the day after Christmas. This day marks a day for selfless care for people in need, the unwanted, who have no people to love them.
With your family, you might go out and help a needy family or join a local charity group to render services on the day after Christmas. During this time most families are out shopping and going after Christmas sales. You can make a difference in your community by bringing food boxes or presents to a family in need.
In places like Great Britain and Canada, this day is known as Boxing Day, a holiday in those countries. When my children first came across Boxing Day, they thought it was a boxing sport celebration. The true meaning of Boxing Day was a shock to them.
During this day, boxes of food are given to people in. Back then food and necessities were given to servants from their masters. The Wenceslaus' spirit is shown so that the people may celebrate with great happiness the manifestation of the Good News of Jesus' coming to the world.
Churches usually organize Boxing Day to specifically serve the physical and spiritual needs of their fellow men and thus show that Word of God requires good deeds to your neighbors. Boxing Day is one of those days where you can see these good acts being done.
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