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Epiphany Friday, January 6, 2012 / Sunday, January 8, 2012 (USA) Epiphany means manifestation and refers to the appearance of Jesus. The significance of this day is not just the arrival of the Magi but the coming of Gentiles (non-Jews) to adore Jesus. The event recognizes Jesus' lordship over all the world. Many traditions have evolved about the Magi. The influence of Psalm 72 on the liturgy led to the belief that they were kings. Other translations call them astrologers. We often call them wise men. The Bible says there were three gifts, but never says how many Magi brought them or what their gender was. Nonetheless, many traditions claim there were three and even gave them the names of Melchior, Balthasar, and Caspar. It is a custom on Epiphany to bless chalk, which is used to mark over doorways. This year you would mark the following symbols: 20 + C + M + B + 12. The numerals (20, 12) refer to the new year. The initials remind us of the legendary names of the Magi - Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar - and also stand for the Latin motto: Christus mansionem benedicat. ("May Christ bless the house"). In the United States, we celebrate Epiphany on the Sunday after January 1. In most countries Epiphany is on January 6, the twelfth day of Christmas, and it is a holy day of obligation. This year, Epiphany will be celebrated on January 8 in the United States.
Resources Every teacher and catechist must be prepared for questions. Here are some resources and summaries for your own background (and perhaps even some reflection). The Vatican's Directory on Popular Piety and Liturgy has a section on Epiphany traditions. Scroll down to #118. The Epiphany page at Wikipedia has some issues. But there are some interesting summaries of Epiphany traditions from around the world that are interesting and may spark a lesson idea. A more reliable, but certainly more academic history can be found at Catholic Encyclopedia. Interesting activities, stories, recipes, and commentaries can be found at Catholic Culture.
Lesson Ideas Read the story of the coming of the Magi in Matthew 2:1-12. Matthew is the only Gospel to tell this story. Read the Proclamation of the Date of Easter, an Epiphany tradition. I've set it up with the dates for 2012. Check out some Epiphany art. At Wikimedia Commons, you can find dozens of public domain pictures of artwork of the Magi. A nice cross-curricular connection here with the English Department: T.S. Eliot wrote a poem "Journey of the Magi." You can read it and and listen to Eliot read it here. Blessing of the Front Door on the Feast of the Epiphany: Blessed are you, O Lord our God, for you guide our footsteps. You bless our coming in and going out, from birth to death, you hold us in your care. Bless this door, O Lord, which we consecrate to this time of preparation. Each day we pass this place, draw us more deeply into your presence and the wonders of your love for us. You are the door to the Kingdom of God, the sheep gate to life eternal. O portal of eternal peace, our new and living way, lose our sins and open for us the door of salvation. O God, protect our going out and our coming in; let us share the hospitality of this home with all who visit us. May the poor find rest within these walls and all who hunger find refreshment in our home. Lead us home through you, to you, and with you, one God, forever and ever. Amen. With chalk write on the door frame: 20 + C + M + B + 12 I love to share brief "interesting facts" with my students. Sometimes I ask them to write a top ten list after they've done some research on a topic then get together in groups, share their individual lists, then come up with a group list to share with the class. Here's a list of ten interesting things about Epiphany that I wrote quickly.
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