Growing up I would have explained to you the meaning of epiphany as a sudden realization. You can tell I wasn’t from a high church background, right? I learned of a celebration called Epiphany that was in January eventually but it wasn’t anything tangible for me.
Coming to live in Spain, I was delighted to discover that the Christmas season actually culminates here with King’s Day (Epiphany) on January 6. Now this is not simply a service in a church, this is an all out anticipated event. It is not uncommon to hear children asked, “What do you want the Kings to bring you?”
On January 5th a town of any size will have a parade of the King’s coming to town. These are the King’s bringing gifts to baby Jesus and all the good boys and girls. In Madrid, this is an event with thousands of people - think Macy’s day parade. It’s crowded; it’s dark and cold. All the floats are lit up in a grand display. Children will have their favorite of the Kings and call out the name. Names I didn’t know without looking them up before I got here to Spain.
I love the connection to God’s story of Christmas that this celebration brings. I love the long season of anticipation that this creates. Often depending on the family, Christmas day can be just a family dinner type holiday with the big day of presents being January 6 when the Kings come.
With school holidays being from late December to January 7 more and more families have incorporated Santa Claus, Papa Noel, so that the toys come earlier in the vacation time. It is not unusual for Santa to make an appearance in the King’s day parade either. I guess you can have it all for this holiday!
So as you pack up your holiday decorations, perhaps you too will have an Epiphany - thinking about all the things that happened surrounding the birth of the Christ child and all the gifts He gives with new mercies every day.