Celebrating Epiphany

First Reading for Epiphany:
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and His glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.(Isaiah 60:1-6)

Catholics are preparing to celebrate the Epiphany, the "shining forth" or revelation that God became man in the person of Jesus Christ.

While Christmas celebrates his birth, Epiphany celebrates the spreading of the news.

Epiphany means 'manifestation. It means revealing that this child is more than an ordinary child. The Magi bringing gifts acknowledges that he is very special.

It's part two of a big Christmas celebration. While his birth took place quietly in a cave, now the whole world knows. The star reveals the light for all nations, the arrival of a world celebration.

Epiphany marks the 12th day after the birth of Christ, when Magi Balthasar, Melchior and Caspar followed the star to present the child with gifts.

Originally, the celebration was strictly on Jan. 6. Now it is celebrated on the Sunday after the first of the year."

The Epiphany celebration has its origins in early eastern Christian churches.

Modern celebrations of the Epiphany keep the focus on the concept of Christ as the newly arrived Light of the World.
           
Several family customs are associated with Epiphany. It is on Epiphany that the Christmas creche is finally completed, as the figures of the three wise men at last arrive at the crib. In many families, the wise men are moved a bit closer to the crib every day from Christmas Day until Epiphany. Also, recalling the gifts to the Infant Jesus, many families exchange small gifts on “Little Christmas.”

The blessing of the home is a popular Epiphany custom. using specially blessed chalk. The entrance door is marked with the year and with the inscription CMB, the initial Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, the names of the three wise man in legend. The inscription also stands for Christus Mansionem Benedicat, which means "Christ, bless this home." The popular form the inscription takes is 20+C+M+B+10.

Here’s a blessing:

Lord God of Heaven and Earth, who hast revealed thine only-begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star: Bless this house and all who inhabit it. Fill them with the light of Christ, that their love for others may truly reflect thy love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

In England, Twelfth Night was traditionally celebrated with a drink called Lamb's Wool, made of cider or ale, with roasted apples and sugar and spices.

A time-honored custom is the baking of an Epiphany cake -- from the almond-paste-filled French pastry to the British fruit-filled, iced and layered confection.

You can find many more nice customs of Little Christmas.