How to Prepare for Epiphany

Christians prepare for Epiphany largely through the Advent and Nativity celebrations that precede it in the church year. But for some Epiphany is the "main event." Whether you take down your Christmas decorations or exchange gifts at Epiphany, the day will be more meaningful if you prepare.

Things You'll Need

• Bible
• Decorations
• Planning notebook
• Frankincense and myrrh

Instructions

Prepare For Epiphany Physically

1. Begin a planning notebook. Write down how you intend to celebrate Epiphany--with a party, a church service, family traditions or gift-giving.

2. Look at themes of Epiphany. Start with the the three kings and their quest. Think about how your celebration can include both fun references (crowning a king of the feast, decorating with "gold" and "jewels") and serious references (the need of even the wisest men for a Savior) into the festivities.

3. Add decorations and symbols such as crowns, incense, a dove (symbol of God's revelatory Spirit), and figurines of the kings to your Christmas decorations during the twelve-day period between Christmas and Epiphany.

4. Let the family join in the preparation of special foods (Three Kings Cake) and the planning of traditional events (such as the door-to-door "posada").

5. Give everyone in the family, the Sunday school class or whatever group is celebrating a job to do. Let children especially have a say in choosing decorations, gifts and songs.

6. Obtain some frankincense and myrrh, usually available at Christmastime, for children to touch and smell. Think of other ways to reinforce the meaning of Epiphany through the senses.

Prepare For Epiphany Spiritually

1. Begin reading the Epiphany scriptures a few verses at a time at dinner right after Christmas. Don't forget that there are others besides Matthew 2:1-12, the story of the Adoration of the Magi. You may also include Matthew 3:13-17 (Jesus' baptism) and Matthew 17:1-9 (the Transfiguration), which are also types of Epiphany.

2. Use the journey of the Magi as a jumping off point for discussion and activities. You can ask the participants how long they think the trip took, what hardships they may have suffered and why they were so determined to see Jesus.

3. Consider new ways of telling the stories, such as having different people read the parts of Herod, Herod's advisers and the wise men, telling them in your own words and having the children act them out.

4. Choose at least one gift for each recipient to remind him of who Jesus is--God in human form--the main theme of Epiphany. A Bible or devotional book, a decorative cross, crucifix or icon or a simple bookmark with a Bible verse is appropriate.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your celebration is active--sing, dress up as the kings, have a parade.

• Don't be too concerned if not everyone "gets" the symbolism and meanings you want to convey. Children (and even adults) take time to catch on to big spiritual concepts. Each year will bring better understanding.