Ephipany

Today is Epiphany the day when most (but certainly not all) of the western world's churches celebrate the visit of the Wise Men (tradition says there are 3 but the Bible is silent on the subject). It is, to recall the old song sung so much the first 24 days of December, the 12th day of Christmas (depending upon whether you count full days, sun-up to sundown) when all those leaping Lords show up. In many countries, and Honduras is one of them, this day is known as "La Fiesta de Reyes."

The word, Epiphany, actually means "To show," or "To make real" (yes, I knew this before I read the site link above, that is what Theological Dictionaries are for). For some churches, including those United Methodist Churches that follow the liturgical calendar, the first Sunday after January 6 (unless January 6 falls on a Sunday which it did this year) is celebrated as the start of the season Epiphany. This season lasts until Ash Wednesday (which is February 6 this year), so its length can vary depending upon the date of the Easter celebration. The focus of many of the Bible passages assigned during this season is on the way Christ can bring all of us together.

In many countries, expecially throughout Latin America, Epiphany is the traditional day for gift giving (as opposed to Christmas morning). But somehow in our country, no doubt aided by the economic forces at work, we have rolled Christmas and Epiphany all into one giant celebration (or orgy depending upon the perspective you adopt).

I suppose the "American Way" is all right if you focus on the faces of little kids receiving presents. But, as with many things, you can get carried away with it. Check out the blog Tackychristmasyards to see what I mean.