Blogmas 2020 was a rousing success, and I have you readers to thank for that! Everyone seemed to really enjoy the recipes, so I will be sharing more next year. And the history bites and holiday culture were also favourites. So, I wanted to cap off the holiday season officially today. I do realise that 6 January might seem rather late to you for capping off the holidays. However, today is Epiphany, traditionally an important day in the holiday season. This history bite is going to look at the significance and history of Epiphany!
What is Epiphany?
Epiphany, celebrated on 6 January in both the Eastern and Western churches, is a religiously significant day. Several crucial moments happened on Epiphany: the baptism of Jesus, the Magi’s arrival, the miracle at Cana, as well as the Feeding of the 5,000. “Because of the disparity between the older Julian calendar and the reformed Gregorian calendar, what was once December 25 is now January 6, and for this reason the day of Epiphany is sometimes referred to as Old Christmas.” (Bowler, 78)
How Is Epiphany Celebrated?
In the West, Epiphany is focused on the Magi, aka the Three Kings. In the medieval period, the services honouring the Magi morphed into drama plays put on outside of the church for everyone to watch. Over the centuries, Epiphany became a day for gift-giving, to commemorate the Magi’s gifts. “In the Spanish-speaking world, the eve of the day of Los Tres Rejes Magos is when the Three Wise Men pass through on their way to Bethlehem and leave presents for kids who, in turn, leave out snacks for the kings and their camels.” (Bowler, 78.)
Twelfth Night
So, how does Twelfth Night factor into the history of Epiphany, you ask? Depending on where you are, the Twelve Days of Christmas either end on 5 January or 6 January. And the Twelfth Night quite frankly, was usually a big party. People would go mumming (going door to door, singing/ acting/ performing for some cake or wine), dancing, masking, cross-dressing, drinking, and other forms of merriment. Depending on where you are, this tradition may have died out, but it still lives on in some parts of the UK, Ireland, and Newfoundland.
Thank you again for joining me for Blogmas 2020! I promise that it is completely over now, and the blog is back to normal.
Did you know the history of Epiphany and why it is celebrated?
Cheers,
The Historian
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