Epiphany: The word “epiphany” it taken from the Greek meaning “showing” or “manifestation” and its symbol is the five-pointed star that guided the Magi to Jesus (the six pointed star is the Star of David).  Epiphany is traditionally dated at January 6th, but some Protestant traditions  celebrate the Sunday before the 6th.  The first Sunday after the Epiphany is always celebrated as “the Baptism of the Lord” and we hear the biblical stories of Jesus’ baptism in the river Jordan and the beginning of his public ministry.  Scripture readings during Epiphany focus on discipleship – what it means to follow the incarnate God so that our lives can also “show” the world what it means to live as partners with God in the work of bringing about the Kingdom. The first two Sundays in Epiphany, the actual celebration of the Epiphany and the Sunday we celebrate Jesus' baptism are white Sundays of pure celebration! The seasonal color for the remainder of Epiphany is green, the color of on-going life in Christ.  Epiphany is a “funny” season, in that the number of Sundays within it can be as many as nine (it is 8 this year) and a few as four.  This is determined by the date of Easter. Epiphany ends on Ash Wednesday. 

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