Epiphany

Epiphany is the climax of the Christmas Season and the Twelve Days of Christmas, which are counted from 25th December until 5th January.

It is an ancient festival that focuses on God's revelation of himself to the world through the incarnation of Christ.

Epiphany is celebrated on the 6th January. It originated in the East, where it celebrated the baptism of Jesus, and his birth.

Epiphany is a feast of hope and celebration, revolving around the story of eastern travellers following a star, so in Western churches, it remembers the coming of the wise men bringing gifts to Jesus, who by so doing 'reveal' Christ to the world as Lord and King.

Eastern Orthodox Churches recognise the 6th January as the celebration of Christ's birth.

The day before Epiphany is the twelfth day of Christmas, and is sometimes called Twelfth Night, a time for feasting in some cultures.

For many Protestant church traditions, the season of Epiphany extends from 6th January until Ash Wednesday, which begins the season of Lent leading to Easter.

Other traditions, including the Roman Catholic tradition, observe Epiphany as a single day, with the Sundays following Epiphany counted as Ordinary Time.

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