Epiphany

Epiphany is the celebration of the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child.  Who were the Magi?  They were the wise men, the scholars of their time. They came from far away, from the east of Judea, because they had seen a spectacular star in the heavens and they believed it had significance. So, they followed it to Bethlehem. You can “read all about it” in the Bible.
Epiphany falls on January 6 on the western calendar, and is the twelfth day of Christmas, the end of the Christmas season. In the Eastern church, it is the day of gift giving and feasting. It is not observed in quite the way it used to be, but this year it fell on a Sunday, so we observed it in church.

The snow is still on the ground, and we expect another storm by Friday. People have turned off their festive lights decorating their houses, and the Christmas trees have been taken down, the decorations put away. I’ve left the Christmas cards taped to the archway in the dining room. These days, cards include pictures of the family sending them, and I want to enjoy them a little longer. School has started again, so I have the opportunity to work some days, but I also feel it is a privilege to stay home when I do not receive a call.
Tomorrow, our grandchildren will spend part of the afternoon with us. I hope we’ll play the new game I received as a gift.
I’m looking forward to some reading time this month, I have three books lined up, and maybe I can read more than those. When it is cold and snowing outside, what is better than a cozy house, a cup of hot chocolate, and a good book?