The Season of Epiphany
Calendar, Colors, and Icon
Dates: Monday, January 6th, 2024 (The Epiphany) - Tuesday, March 4th (Fat Tuesday)
Colors: White and Gold
Icon: An eight-pointed star is the icon for Christmastide and Epiphany, which is a symbol of Christ being the morning star. It is also a symbol of hope and guidance, particularly among American indigenous populations.
About The Season
Praise God who sends us the light from heaven!
(This prayer is used in Indian homes at the lighting of lamps. Taken from Morning, Noon and Night)
Manifest at Jordan's stream,
Prophet, Priest, and King supreme,
and at Cana, wedding guest,
in your Godhead manifest;
manifest in pow'r divine,
changing water into wine.
Anthems be to you addressed,
God in man made manifest.
[From the hymn “Songs of Thanksgiving and Praise” by Christopher Wordsworth (1862)]
“Epiphanies” (are) events of revelation not available to human beings without an act of God. This is important, because in biblical faith, knowledge of the true God is not attainable by human effort. We cannot summon up the presence of the living JHesus by efforts of our own, however, “spiritual;” his presence is his to give. Any manifestation that reveals Jesus’ true identity occurs because the power of God is at work upon the eyes, ears, and hearts of the recipients. The unfolding of the Epiphany season is therefore a record of God’s definitive and unique actions in the One who has been born in Bethlehem.”
(Epiphany: The Season of Glory by Flemming Rutledge)
A blessed Epiphanytide to you, beloved. This season after The Epiphany of the Lord (which occurred on January 6) is the culmination of the cycle of light that began weeks ago in Advent. At that point, we entered together into the darkness of life, facing those realities that evoke our longings and laments. Now, after Christmas and Epiphany, we practice a time to rejoice in the manifestation of Christ our Lord, who has been sent as a “light to enlighten the nations and the glory of his people Israel,” as Simeon proclaimed.
This is the “season of glory,” as Flemming Rutledge has written in her little gem of a book on Epiphany (linked below). It is the season to recognize that the full, awesome glory of God which parted the Red Sea, made the Jordan stand up on its banks, and thundered down from Sinai has now been made known to all nations and peoples in the face of Jesus Christ: For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ,” (2 Corinthians 4:6).
During this season, we journey with Jesus through his early life and ministry: the visit of the Magi, his baptism in the Jordan, the wedding at Cana, the manifestation of his healings and miracles, all the way up until his resplendent transfiguration. It is a wonderful time to read these early chapters of the gospels and become acquainted again with the Light of the World.
Below are some practices, resources, art, and music for the season. My prayer for this time is that we, beholding the glory of the Lord, would be transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
- Rev. Joel Littlepage
Practices for the Season
The Burning of the Tree (or Candles). It is a tradition for many on the day (or season) of Epiphany to burn the Christmas tree and garland (if you used real Christmas tree/greenery, that is…please don’t burn plastic). This burst of light and heat is a powerful symbol of the luminescent glory of Christ. In our family, we stand around the fire pit and throw branches in as we say one of the scriptures for Epiphany: “Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” (Is. 60:1) If burning a tree is not possible for you, consider lighting some extra candles at the table and reciting that same scripture.
Blessing Your House. Another common tradition for the day (or season) of Epiphany is to bless and pray over your residence, starting at the front door and moving through every room. In some traditions, this is called the “chalking of the doors.” You can read more about this here.
Pray for Those Who Do Not Believe. During Epiphany, the church prays for those who have not yet experienced the manifestation of Christ. Consider what people in your life that you could pray for: family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. Perhaps you could enact a practice to pray for them every week or every time you light a specific candle.
Pray for Those Who Serve as Missionaries. During Epiphany, the church prays for all of those who seek to make Christ known across the world. Are you connected with anyone serving as a missionary? Pray for them. Also, please pray for our Domestic and Global Partners in the Grace DC Network.
Establish New Patterns and Practices of the New Year. As Epiphany falls at the beginning of our calendar year, it is a natural time to consider the shape and patterns of our lives. Consider establishing a “Rule of Life,” completing “The Great Annual Examen,” or simply establishing intentions for the time ahead. Our church has an upcoming Vespers with a Rule of Life Workshop on Sunday, the 19th at 4 PM. I encourage you to come!
Resources for the Season
The Living Prayer Periodical: Christmas and Epiphany 2024-25
The Daily Prayer Project is a publication ministry of Grace Mosaic that supplies a holistic resource for spiritual formation to thousands across North America and the globe. You can access the Christmas & Epiphany Living Prayer Periodical at the members-only section of the website, outside the sanctuary on Sunday mornings, or purchase at The Daily Prayer Project.
Also: Consider giving the Daily Prayer Project subscription or coffee mugs as a gift this holiday season! More details at the website.
Brief Articles for the Season
Christmas & Epiphany: The Sunrise From On High by Greg Thompson
“Taken together, these seasons of light remind us of one of the central convictions of the Christian life: That in Jesus Christ, the light of God comes both to us and through us. It reminds us that the consolation of our souls and the calling of our lives is, in the end, the same: the Sunrise from on High. And our life, in this season (and in every season) is best understood as a life of receiving the light of God in Jesus Christ and bearing that light to the whole of the earth.”
More to come as the season progresses, stay tuned!
Artwork for the Season
WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR
Brady Black, 2023
STAR OF BETHLEHEM QUILT
Ellen Morton Littlejohn and Margaret Morton Bibb, ca. 1837–50
THE ADORATION OF THE KINGS
John Piper (designer) and Patrick Reyntiens (fabricator), 1980
The Curator for our Daily Prayer Project, Victoria Jones, offers an amazing set of reflections and questions for our current seasonal artwork. See the 2024-25 Christmas and Epiphany edition for this content.
Music for the Season
Books for the Season
Epiphany: The Season of Glory by Flemming Rutledge
“The feast of Epiphany and its following season are not as well observed as they should be. Many of us associate Epiphany with the visit of the Magi but don't know much more about it. In this short volume, priest and theologian Fleming Rutledge expounds the primary biblical texts and narrative arc of the season, inviting us to discover anew "the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
Learning Evangelism from Jesus by Jerram Barrs
“As the greatest evangelist, Jesus exemplified how to attract people to the gospel. He modeled how to initiate spiritual conversations full of grace and truth. Christian evangelism, then, both in theory and practice, must be shaped by his pattern.”
Light Upon Light: A Literary Guide to Prayer Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany by Various Authors
This collection contains daily and weekly inspirational readings to help the reader prayerfully experience God through the liturgical seasons of winter. Well-loved classics by Andersen, Dickens, and Eliot join contemporary works by Frederick Buechner and Gary Schmidt. Poems by Donne, Herbert, and Rossetti are paired with newer voices: Scott Cairns, Benjamín Alire Sáenz, Susanna Childress, and Amit Majmudar. Readers are invited to experience Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany in its raw strangeness, stripped of sentiment, and to turn toward Emmanuel.
Resources for Families with Young Children
Sacred Seasons: A Family Guide to Center Your Year Around Jesus by Danielle Hitchen
The time-honored traditions of the liturgical calendar guide Christians through a year-long meditation on the life of Christ. Beyond just Christmas and Easter, each season of the church year offers special opportunities to remember and celebrate the work of God.
In Sacred Seasons, Danielle Hitchen helps you incorporate the rhythms and rituals of this ancient Christian discipline into your everyday family life. Part theology, part church history, and part practical spirituality, Sacred Seasons provides an easy-to-use guide to observing the liturgical year complete with fun activities, delicious recipes, and meaningful liturgies.
The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson
“Janner Igiby, his brother, Tink, and their disabled sister, Leeli, are gifted children as all children are, loved well by a noble mother and ex-pirate grandfather. But they will need all their gifts and all that they love to survive the evil pursuit of the venomous Fangs of Dang, who have crossed the dark sea to rule the land with malice. The Igibys hold the secret to the lost legend and jewels of good King Wingfeather of the Shining Isle of Anniera.
Andrew Peterson’s sweeping saga is full of characters rich in heart, smarts, and courage. It is a tale that children of all ages will cherish, families can read aloud, and readers' groups are sure to enjoy discussing for its many layers of meaning.”