Living, loving, learning as followers of Jesus Christ
The Epiphany
The Feast of the Epiphany is on 6th January. It
marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas and
celebrates the visit of the Wise Men to the baby
Jesus. These men are often called Kings or Magi.
They brought valuable gifts of gold, frankincense
and myrrh to honour the baby.
The gifts
The gift of gold was the gift people
usually gave to their King. By
giving gold they were recognising
Jesus as their King.
The second gift was frankincense.
When burnt it gives off a fragrant
smell. It was burnt as an offering to
God during worship, used a
medicine and also a perfume.
The third gift was myrrh. It is a
wound healer.
The Epiphany in Spain
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/spain-celebrates-epiphany/6247.html
In Spain the Epiphany is called El Día
de los Reyes – The Day of the Kings.
Processions in the
streets and sweets are
thrown.
Eat “Rosca del Reyes”
(cake with plastic toys
or charms inside)
La cabalgata de Reyes
In Spanish towns there are processions on the 5th
January. The special procession is called la cabalgata
de Reyes. It celebrates the journey of the Three Kings
as they followed the star to find the Baby Jesus, carrying
their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
“Los Reyes” (Three Kings Day)
6th January
Children leave straw & barley in their shoes the night
before to feed the camels which the Three Kings ride.
The Three Kings empty the shoes and leave presents.
Collective Worship
Gather
Let us make the sign of the cross – In the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
This is the Jesus the Light of the World.
Let us watch the flame and feel the presence of Jesus as we listen to
Matthew's scripture from the Bible.
Listen
Matthew’s story of the wise men 2: 1-12
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a town in Judea, in the time of King
Herod. Some wise men came from the East to Jerusalem asking,
“Where is the baby who will be King of the Jews? We have seen his
star in the sky and have come to worship him.”
King Herod was very confused when he heard this question, and so
was everyone else in Jerusalem. He called the priests and teachers
to him and asked them what they knew about it. They said:
“A long time ago a prophet said:
“ A baby will be born in Bethlehem. He will be great leader. He will
look after God’s people.”
King Herod said to the wise men, “Go to Bethlehem and find the
baby. Then come back and tell me where he is. I will also go and
worship him.”
So they went on their way. The star which they had seen led them
until it stopped over the place where the baby was. They were filled
with joy. They went into the house and found the baby with his
mother Mary. They knelt down and worshipped him. They opened
their treasures and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
God told them in a dream not to go back to King Herod, so they
went back to their own country by a different way.
Respond - Let us pray
Loving Father, help us to remember the
birth of Jesus. That we may share in the
song of the angels, the gladness of the
shepherds and the worship of the wise
men.
Amen
Our Father, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
Father, you revealed your Son to the nations
by the guidance of a star.
Lead us to your glory in heaven by the light
of faith.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
your Son, who lives and reigns with you and
the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.
Amen
Go Forth
During the Epiphany, we remember
the joy that greeted Jesus' birth. The
Wise Men brought gifts to honour
Jesus. We can honour Jesus with a
gift as well…
Living, loving and learning as
followers of Jesus Christ