The Season of Epiphany
Jesus Manifests Himself as God

Dates:

Epiphany lasts from 6 January through the day before Lent..

Colors:

In most churches, the decorations are green to symbolize growth and life.
You can read more about color in worship.

The East:

Because Orthodox churches calculate Lent differently, their Epiphany Season ends on a Sunday.

Special Days:

  • The Epiphany, January 5 (often celebrated on the previous Sunday)

  • The Baptism of Our Lord, on the Sunday after the Epiphany

  • The Presentation, February 2.

  • In the Revised Common Lectionary, the Last Sunday after the Epiphany is Transfiguration Day.

The general topic of Epiphany Season is Jesus’ manifestation of Himself as God. (The word epiphany is Greek for manifestation.) In most churches, Bible readings and sermons during this time of the year deal with Jesus’ identity, beginning with His baptism.

Epiphany (the day) began in the eastern Church as the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus Christ. As the celebration of Christmas spread eastward, Epiphany changed to its present meaning. Some Oriental Christians have not yet acquired Christmas. For them, Epiphany, which they celebrate on January 6 of the Julian calendar, continues to be the celebration of the Nativity.

Epiphany Season begins on the Epiphany, which is 6 January, and ends on the day before Lent. The eastern Church calculates the date of Easter and the length of Lent differently from western Christians.

Special Days

  • January 5 is the Epiphany.

  • The Last Sunday After the Epiphany is Transfiguration Day in the Revised Common Lectionary.

The theme of the first Sunday after the Epiphany is the Baptism of Our Lord in Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches.

The purpose of the liturgical calendar is to relive the major events in Jesus’ life in real time. To fulfill the requirements of Leviticus 12:2-8, Mary had to present Jesus at the Temple and offer a sacrifice. According to Luke 2:22-24, she did just that. If Jesus were born on 25 December, then this would have occurred on 2 February. Therefore, 2 February is known in the historic church as The Presentation or The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple.

Incidentally, if you compare Leviticus 12:2-8 with Luke 2:22-24, you will find that Mary and Joseph were poor.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

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