Weekly Reflection
“We three kings of Orient are; Bearing gifts we traverse afar, Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star…O star of wonder, star of light, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light…”
So goes the first verse and chorus of the familiar carol, “We Three Kings of Orient Are.” We sing this carol in church, sometimes at Christmas, but mostly on the Sunday closest to January 6th. The carol was written in 1857 by the Reverend John Henry Hopkins, Jr., who was at the time an ordained deacon in the Episcopal Church, and the Music Director at the General Theological Seminary in New York City. He was instrumental in organizing an elaborate holiday pageant, which featured this hymn, for the students at the Seminary. The carol was his gift to his colleagues, family and friends.
The carol is meant to celebrate the Epiphany, or the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ. Western Christianity celebrates the Epiphany on January 6th every year, and commemorates the visit of the Magi to the Infant Jesus, 12 days after the celebration of his birth at Christmas. It’s a holiday to honor the faith of the Three Kings who followed a star in the sky, until it led them to the place where the infant Jesus was born. Matthew’s Gospel tells us that they knelt down and paid him homage, and brought gifts that represented their belief that he would be the King of the world, and their hopes that he would know the blessings of comfort and healing.
In many United Church of Christ congregations, Epiphany is barely a blip on the liturgical radar screen, and I think that’s unfortunate. It’s a holiday rich with tradition and celebration in many denominations and cultures, where it has been recognized since the middle of the fourth century.
Some of my favorite Epiphany customs are these:
In many places, such as Poland, Romania and central Europe, on Epiphany, the priest or pastor will bless gold, frankincense and myrrh that the congregation brings to the church, but also the pastor will bless Chalk. The pastor may visit the homes of the church families, or the families will take the chalk themselves, and write the initials of the three magi (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar) above the doors in their home. The initials “CMB” also represent the phrase “Christus mansionem benedicat” which means “may Christ bless the house”. The tradition of house-blessing is an ancient one, and in many places, that chalk blessing is left above the doors throughout the year.
In some cultures, such as Germany, Switzerland, Romania, Poland, and Latvia they celebrate Epiphany with “star-singers” who are groups of singers who travel door to door, singing carols. The singers are dressed as the Wise Men, and one person carries a star, usually of painted wood, attached to a broom handle, signifying the Star of Bethlehem that led the Wise Men to the manger. The star-singers are offered treats at the homes they visit, and sometimes they solicit gifts for worthy causes. As a sign of gratitude, the young people then perform the traditional house-blessing, by marking the year and initials over the doorway with chalk.
In Mexico, it isn’t until the evening of January 5th, marking the Twelfth Night of Christmas that the figurines of the three wise men are added to the nativity scene. In the Philippines, Mexico, Spain, and many Latin American countries, Santa Claus is not as celebrated; rather it is the three wise men who are the bearers of gifts, who leave presents in or near the shoes of small children. In Argentina, on the Eve of Epiphany or “Three Kings Day,” children leave their shoes by the door, along with grass and water for the camels. In the morning, they get a present. In Puerto Rico, children fill a box with fresh grass or hay, and put it underneath their bed, for the Wise Men’s camels. The three kings then take the grass, and will leave gifts under the bed. These traditions are similar to children in Europe and the United States leaving milk and cookies for Santa, or carrots for the reindeer.
In Poland, and in many other places, Epiphany is celebrated in grand fashion with huge parades welcoming the Wise Men, often riding on camels or other animals. The Wise Men pass out sweets and presents, while carols are sung. In India, Epiphany is celebrated with festivals in front of local churches.
In many places, such as Germany, Portugal, Switzerland, Poland, and even in some places in the U.S., Epiphany is celebrated with “king cakes”. These are special cakes, with a trinket (usually a porcelain figurine of a baby, or a bean or almond hidden inside. The person who gets the piece of cake with the trinket becomes “king” or “queen” for the day, or for the season of Epiphany.
In Ireland, Epiphany is known as “Little Christmas” or “Women’s Christmas,” and is meant to give women a bit of rest and celebration for themselves after the work of the Christmas holidays. Women gather for a special meal, accompanied by wine, spend the day shopping, or gather in the evening in pubs. Women also receive gifts from children, grandchildren and other family members on Epiphany.
I think many of these are wonderful customs, which truly recognize an important moment in the Christian story that can often be overlooked. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we embraced Epiphany, and introduced the traditions of star singing, visiting and house blessings in our community, as we celebrate the revelation of Jesus, as the Son of God, to the world?? I invite you to consider adopting one of these traditions in your home, and with your family, and plan to be with us in worship on January 5th (The Eve of Epiphany) as we celebrate the arrival of the Wise Men at the manger, and the revelation of God’s great gift in Jesus!
Following the star…..
Denise