Question: 'What is Epiphany / Three Kings’ Day and should Christians celebrate it?'
Answer: Epiphany is an ancient church festival celebrating the magi’s visit to the Christ Child (Matthew 2:1-12). It is kept on January 6. Epiphany is also called “Three Kings’ Day” and “Twelfth Day”—the latter name because January 6 is twelve days after Christmas; the eve of Epiphany is called “Twelfth Night.” It is celebrated mainly in Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican, and other liturgical churches.
Should a Christian celebrate Epiphany? There is certainly nothing wrong with celebrating the different events of Christ’s life, and a Christian is free to observe whatever day he wants, as long as he “does so to the Lord” (see Romans 14:4-6).
Having said that, we should be careful to avoid the superstitions and empty rituals (Isaiah 1:13-14) which have sprung up around many holidays, including Epiphany. Sprinkling “holy” water, for example, and burning “blessed” herbs are nothing but superstitious practices. And some customs directly conflict with scripture. For instance, asking the magi to bless one’s house conflicts with the Bible’s clear teaching that we pray only to God Himself (Psalm 91:15; Matthew 6:6, 9; 1 Timothy 2:5).
Answer: Epiphany is an ancient church festival celebrating the magi’s visit to the Christ Child (Matthew 2:1-12). It is kept on January 6. Epiphany is also called “Three Kings’ Day” and “Twelfth Day”—the latter name because January 6 is twelve days after Christmas; the eve of Epiphany is called “Twelfth Night.” It is celebrated mainly in Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican, and other liturgical churches.
The word epiphany means “manifestation” or “revelation.” Thus, the holiday celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, represented by the magi (see Simeon’s prophecy in Luke 2:32). For some, Epiphany also commemorates the baptism of Jesus (Luke 3:21-22) and His turning water into wine (John 2:1-11)—manifestations of Christ’s divinity to the world.
- The day after Christmas was expected to be the third-busiest shopping day of the year in the U.S., according to a forecast by ShopperTrak from October, beating the five days leading up to.
- It was the first day after Christmas vacation in a 3rd grade class. The teacher told the class that each student could tell the class one thing they got for Christmas. So, the teacher calls on a girl to come up to the front of the class and tell everyone onething she got.
What God Wants For Christmas Micah 6:6-8. What Child is This? Christmas Tears Matthew 2:16-18. Christmas Joy Luke 2:8-11. Backstage at Bethlehem John 1:10-13. When Did Christmas Begin? John 1:14 'Twas the Day After Christmas Luke 2:17-20. Christmas Hope Hebrews 6:18-20. Follow the Christmas Star Matthew 2:7-12. Who is That Baby. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Luke 2:20 Heavenly Father, life just on the other side of Christmas day feels quite different to different people. For some of us, this was the “greatest” Christmas ever—in terms of caring relationships, incredible “eats”, thoughtful gifts, and above all, profound. After a White Christmas, Buffalo saw more snow the following day, with a record 17.9 inches by 4 p.m., easily surpassing the mark of 10.7 inches that fell on Dec. 26, 1956, according to National.
Other traditions include prayers (some offered to “Caspar,” “Melchoir,” and “Balthasar,” the traditional names of the magi); the blessing of holy water; the burning of “blessed” herbs; and the offering of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.Should a Christian celebrate Epiphany? There is certainly nothing wrong with celebrating the different events of Christ’s life, and a Christian is free to observe whatever day he wants, as long as he “does so to the Lord” (see Romans 14:4-6).
Having said that, we should be careful to avoid the superstitions and empty rituals (Isaiah 1:13-14) which have sprung up around many holidays, including Epiphany. Sprinkling “holy” water, for example, and burning “blessed” herbs are nothing but superstitious practices. And some customs directly conflict with scripture. For instance, asking the magi to bless one’s house conflicts with the Bible’s clear teaching that we pray only to God Himself (Psalm 91:15; Matthew 6:6, 9; 1 Timothy 2:5).
6: The Day After Christmas Traditions
Whatever holidays we choose to observe, the Lord should always be glorified in them; however our calendars are marked, the Bible must remain our only rule for faith and practice.Residents of the Canadian province of Ontario could be in for a solitary New Year.
The province will shut down the day after Christmas because of surging coronavirus cases, Premier Doug Ford announced Monday.
Name For Day After Christmas
As of Monday, Canada’s most populous province – with 14 million people, holding 38% of the 38 million people who live in the country – had seen 158,053 coronavirus cases, with 4,167 deaths. Among 8,867 hospitalized patients, 1,766 people were in intensive care, according to Public Health Ontario.
For the past week, Ontario has seen seven straight days of more than 2,000 cases a day, The Associated Press reported. Modeling shows that could more than double in January. Health officials earlier said a four- to six-week hard lockdown could significantly stop the spread of COVID-19.
© Frank Gunn FILE - People are ushered in to a COVID19 testing centre at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, Saturday, Dec. 12. FILE - People are ushered in to a COVID19 testing centre at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, Saturday, Dec. 12. (Frank Gunn/)
Some restrictions had already been in place, but they were not stopping the tide, Ford and other public health experts said. Dialectical behavioral therapy for children.
“Unfortunately, despite the restrictions, we’ve seen growing numbers of people traveling between regions within Ontario,” Ford said at a news conference, according to CNN. “COVID is spreading rapidly from high-outbreak areas to areas with fewer cases.”
The shutdown will last two weeks in northern Ontario and four weeks in southern Ontario, Ford said, and will begin a minute after midnight on Dec. 26.
“The number of daily cases continue to rise, putting our hospitals and long-term care homes at risk,” Ford said in a statement announcing the “difficult but necessary decision” to shut the province down. “We need to stop the spread of this deadly virus.”
© Provided by New York Daily News Ontario Premier Doug Ford, right, and Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott look at freezers ahead of COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Toronto, Tuesday, Dec. 8. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, right, and Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott look at freezers ahead of COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Toronto, Tuesday, Dec. 8. (Nathan Denette/)
While some health officials criticized Ford for waiting until after Christmas, the premier said it was necessary in order to give businesses time to prepare and sell off inventory.
But health experts said people should act as if the restrictions were already in place, for their own sakes, and urged people to cancel family gatherings.
“Until the people of this province realize what each trip out their home risks for themselves and their loved ones, we won’t get through this,” said Dr. Naveed Mohammad, CEO of the William Osler Health System, which operates hospitals in a Toronto suburb. “Please stay home, starting today.”
With News Wire Services