Christian Festivals: Epiphany (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note

Revelation of Christ to the world

• The twelfth day of Christmas is the Christian feast of Epiphany

  • This marks the end of the Christmas season on 6th January

• The word “epiphany” comes from Greek and means “to show forth”

• The feast of Epiphany celebrates the visit of the Magi (wise men) when Jesus was born 

• Because the Magi were not Jews, their visit was the first time Jesus was “shown forth” as God’s Son to non-Jews

  • Christians believe that this was significant, as it showed that Jesus’s birth would be important for all people, not just Jews

  • Jesus had come to bring the good news to the whole world

Visit of the Magi

• The visit of the Magi, or wise men, to see the infant Jesus is recorded in Matthew’s gospel

• Little is known about the Magi; tradition says that they were possibly astrologers, following the sign of a star 

  • It is believed that they came from Persia and had travelled for some time

  • Some traditions call the Magi “kings”

• In the gospel account, the Magi visit Mary and Joseph in a “house” 

  • This means that their visit happened some time after Jesus’s birth (when Mary had to lay Jesus in a manger in a stable) and that the family had moved into an accommodation

• The Magi called Jesus “the one who has been born King of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2)

• When they found Jesus, the gospel says that:

What did the Magi’s gifts symbolise?

• Each of the gifts the Magi presented to Jesus is highly symbolic of his life:

• Gold is a precious metal representing royalty

  • This emphasises Jesus’s role as a king, although his kingdom is the kingdom of God

• Frankincense is a sweet-smelling resin burned during temple and church worship

  • It represents Jesus being worshipped as God

• Myrrh was an oil used to anoint the dead before burial

  • Myrrh represents Jesus’s humanity and eventual suffering and death on the cross

Traditions of Epiphany

• Roman Catholic Christians observe Epiphany as a single day, and it marks the end of the Christmas season

  • Traditionally, Christmas decorations are taken down by Epiphany or Twelfth Night

  • Epiphany is marked by a Mass with lighted candles that features the reading from Matthew’s gospel telling the story of the visit of the Magi 

  • This is held on the nearest Sunday to 6th January, the date of the festival

• Many Protestant Christians see Epiphany as the start of a “season”  that extends from 6th January until Ash Wednesday, which begins the season of Lent, leading to Easter

• Orthodox Christians celebrate Epiphany later, on 19th January (as Christmas is later in the calendar used), and it has a different emphasis

  • Orthodox Christians focus on the Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan by John the Baptist, revealing him as the Son of God

  • Celebrations for this include a great blessing of the waters, where water is blessed in a church and at rivers, lakes or seas

  • Worshippers take holy water home for use in their homes throughout the year

  • Processions may go to local bodies of water where a cross is thrown in, and swimmers dive to retrieve it

Religious reasons for observing Epiphany

• There are three main reasons why most Christians observe Epiphany:

• Jesus being revealed to the Gentiles (non-Jews):

  • The visit of the Magi, who were not Jews, represents the first time Jesus was revealed or “shown forth” as God’s Son to non-Jews

    • Christians believe that this was significant, as it showed that Jesus’s birth would be important for all people, not just Jews

    • Jesus had come to bring the good news to the whole world

• The gifts brought by the Magi (wise men) affirm Jesus’s identity as King, God and Saviour:

  • Gold for a king

  • Frankincense for God

  • Myrrh for suffering and death

• A reminder that Jesus was the Light of the World

  • Epiphany celebrates the coming of Jesus, the Light of the World. Many services use candles to symbolise this

• Orthodox Christians have a different religious reason for observing Epiphany:

  • It is a celebration of Jesus’s baptism in the River Jordan by John the Baptist, when he was revealed as God’s son, as the gospel of Matthew records:

Social significance of observing Epiphany

• Epiphany is an important religious festival for Christians, but it also has social significance for the faith community and beyond

• It brings families and communities together:

  • Many cultures have special meals, parades or home blessings on Epiphany

  • This strengthens family ties and community spirit

• Epiphany encourages acts of hospitality and generosity:

  • The Magi brought gifts to Jesus

  • In some countries, gift-giving happens on Epiphany, especially for children (e.g. Día de los Reyes in Spain and Latin America)

  • This encourages a culture of sharing and kindness

• The festival marks the end of the Christmas season:

  • In some countries, it is traditional to take down Christmas decorations on this day

• It teaches values and traditions to younger generations:

  • Churches and families use Epiphany to teach children about their Christian faith, history and community through plays, stories and participation in rituals

• It supports charity work and outreach:

  • Many Christian communities use Epiphany as a time to focus on mission work and social action, inspired by the theme of revealing Christ to the world

Different ways of observing Epiphany

• Traditions for celebrating Epiphany vary around the world, as well as differences by denomination:

  • Some countries have a tradition of families marking their doors with chalk to bring Christ’s blessing on their house 

  • A Kings Cake is a cake traditionally baked and shared with friends and family on Epiphany

    • A toy baby is hidden inside to symbolise the Magi’s hunt for Jesus

  • Some people share meals together with friends and family, with lit candles to represent the light of Christ entering the world