Epiphany of the Lord

Epiphany means “manifestation”, that moment when we suddenly understand something that previously was hidden from us. Christmas is about the Incarnation, the coming down of the Son of God to become human, one of us. Epiphany is the showing of the Christ Child’s divinity, which is beginning to manifest itself in the world.
​

• Blessing of Homes
  The tradition of blessing doorways on Epiphany is inspired by the three Magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, who followed the star to a manger in Bethlehem where the Messiah was made manifest for them in the person of a newborn child. The Magi showed great hospitality when they came to honour the Messiah. The blessing of our own doorway reminds us to welcome strangers and travellers into our midst as though each were Jesus himself. Incidentally, the tradition of carolling is also associated with the journey of the Magi and is a suitable way of announcing the manifestation of the Christ Child in song.
  • Here is a simple prayer service to use at home when blessing the doorway. Or download it as PDF here
    
    
• Continue Celebrating Christmas
  Even if your Christmas trees have come down and decorations have been returned to storage, we invite you to consider keeping out the Christmas crèche a while longer at least until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, and placing it in a prominent place in your home where you can gather with family and pray.  Read: Continuing with the celebration of Christmas
  
  
• Resources for family & children: Epiphany of the Lord
  • Today is the Feast of the Epiphany. We remember that the Magi, or Wise Men, visited Jesus. Let’s listen to learn about their journey and what gifts they gave Jesus to honour him. (Loyola Press) 
    • Kid's Bulletin for this Sunday
    • Colouring page this Sunday 
    • Sunday Connection for the Epiphany of the Lord (Gr. 1-8) 
    • Children's Liturgy of the Word with Miss Heidi (Catholic TV)
      
      
• Gospel Reflection  
  Gifts. The Magi, these foreign interpreters of dreams, do the following: follow a star, travel a great distance, trust the words of others, bring and give gifts. In some countries, Epiphany and not Christmas is gift-giving day.  This twelfth-day (when on the traditional 6th of January) brings to completion the manifestation of Christ – first to the Jews and today to everyone. No one is foreign to God’s good grace. (Source: Diocese of Springfield)
  • How will I search diligently for Jesus?
  • Because God is merciful to me, what mercy work can I do for another?
  • What gifts will I give to others in need?