Why your calendar says 'Epiphany' on January 6

An often-pondered day is one of the most important holidays in the Christian calendar.

While some may wonder why their Google Calendar is telling them to have an epiphany on January 6, the day has nothing to do with ideas.

"The event that Epiphany remembers and celebrates is the visit of who we often call the Wise Men to Jesus," Pastor Paul Sartison with Epiphany Lutheran Church says. 

Epiphany is one of the most important Christian holidays after Easter and Christmas but is not as commonly celebrated as the two. This day commemorates the Three Magi (Wise Men) meeting Jesus and the baptism of Christ, depending on if you are an eastern or western church.

The Fort Richmond pastor says Epiphany Lutheran Church is relatively quiet on the actual day. 

"To be honest it is a pretty low-key thing. And I think the epiphany story, perhaps, is usually combined with the Christmas story."

They often do not hold a separate service but will spend time on the Sunday before discussing it and focussing the readings on the birth of Jesus.

For the pastor, the day signifies the pinnacle moment of Jesus's birth.

"One of the really important things, I think, is it is not so much about coming to bring gifts to Jesus. But the word epiphany sort of means like a new revelation or a new manifestation of something," he says. "It is sort of one of the first places Jesus is being revealed to the whole world."

The pastor says the visit from the Wise Men was the first time Jesus was exposed to the whole world, signifying spreading the gospel to everyone and making it good news for all.

"Regardless of whether churches make a fuss about it, I think that is often the theme churches pick up on."

Many Christian groups, such as Eastern Orthodox, and Latin churches celebrate the end of the season. Those who celebrate Epiphany as a single day often end it in a feast. 

"In a way, Epiphany has become an afterthought to Christmas," Sartison says, noting that it is when people often "come down from the hype" of the Christmas season.

Sartison says often during this time people's homes, especially in eastern Europe, will be blessed. Epiphany Lutheran Church often uses the event to bless their space for the new year.

In Germany, children go carolling and some race sleds. In the Philippines, children leave their shoes out overnight to receive gifts from the kings. In Puerto Rico, children gather grass, putting it under their beds as a gift for the camels the Wise Men ride on. In exchange, the Wise men are to give them gifts. In Russia, Christians take a dip in icy waters to commemorate Jesus' baptism. 

While there is no official Epiphany greeting, the pastor is a fan of wishing his congregation a "Happy Epiphany, Epiphany."

Epiphany signals the end of the 12 Days of Christmas and the beginning of the next church season. 

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This story was originally published on January 6, 2021.