Epiphany ~

~ The Church Year: Advent/Christmas/Epiphany ~ And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's on...
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~ The Church Year: Advent/Christmas/Epiphany ~ And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

The Church Year (also known as the Liturgical Year and Christian Year) is a cycle of festivals and seasons that we share with Christians around the world. The annual passage of the liturgical year is one of the ways that we learn, remember, and celebrate our faith. There are twelve festival days and six seasons in the Church Year, and three great festivals mark the Church Year: Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. Each year we follow this cycle of ancient events as we remember the birth, life, death, and resurrection of our Lord – FOR US! This ritual journey provides an opportunity for us to “do” the story, not just “tell” the story. Our past is the foundation, but we celebrate our faith in a living God as active now as ever, and a God we trust to remain active forever. Advent On the First Sunday of Advent (this year December 1) we begin our Church Year. It’s a little bit like January 1, or the beginning of November, when we turn our clocks back to Standard Time. We ‘reset the clock’ and go back to the beginning, but in some ways it is where we left off, with texts that speak about Christ’s second coming (similar to the readings for the last Sundays of the Church Year). Advent includes the four Sundays before Christmas (the number of days varies from year to year), and in this multilayered season we prepare for the commemoration of Christ’s birth and contemplate Christ coming again. Advent comes from the Latin word, adventus, meaning ‘coming.’ Originally the season was 40 days, and a time of fasting and penitence prior to the feasts of Christmas and Epiphany. In the 9th century, the length of the season was reduced to four weeks, and it has remained that way since. Our celebration of Advent places more emphasis on the expectation, preparation, and promise of this season rather than the penitential nature, but hints of the penitential interpretation can be heard in the texts of the first half of the season. We prepare for the three arrivals of Christ – past, present, and future: • • •

Christ came to us at Bethlehem, and we commemorate His birth at Christmas. Christ comes to us today – in word and sacrament. Christ will return at the end of time.

Symbols and Words •

Color: Blue symbolizing hope (some churches use purple).



Magnificat: (Latin: magnifies): Also called the Canticle of Mary or Mary’s Song. The Magnificat is from the Gospel of Luke (1:46-55). It is the Mary's joyous prayer in response to her cousin Elizabeth's greeting (Luke 1: 41-45). This canticle has been prayed daily for centuries at vespers and evening prayer. Its text echoes Psalms and other Old Testament books including 1 Samuel 2:1-10 (Song of Hannah), Zephaniah, and Isaiah.



“Stir up . . .”: These words begin the Prayer of the Day on each of the Sundays of Advent.



Gaudete (“Rejoice”): The 3rd Sunday in Advent, and joy and gladness are evident on this Sunday.



Advent Wreath: Four candles (hope, peace, joy, love) are a reminder of the light coming to our world. The gradual lighting of the candles, one each week, combined with the liturgical colors of the candles (3 blue and 1 rose) symbolize our expectation and hope – the Advent of light brought to the world by Christ’s birth. -1-



Jesse Tree: “A shoot will spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots” (Isaiah 11:1).



“Prepare the Way” – John the Baptizer and the OT prophets. On the 2nd and 3rd Sundays in Advent our readings always include John the Baptizer.



Emmanuel (or Immanuel): Hebrew for ‘God with us’ (Isaiah 7:14).



Messiah: Hebrew for “anointed one.” Greek name “Christ” means the same.



Maranatha: Aramaic (the language that Jesus spoke) meaning “Come, Lord.”



Parousia: This is the Greek word for coming. In the New Testament it refers to the Second Coming of Christ.



O Antiphons: Seven titles or names for Christ from the Old Testament (see also Fun Facts).



Annunciation (Luke 1:26ff): Angel Gabriel, Mary’s response.

Christmas The Twelve Days of Christmas (December 25 - January 5) is the second season of the Church Year and our celebration of the birth of Christ (we celebrate a birth, not a ‘birth-day’). Advent themes of “peace and hope” continue in this season. Recognizing the gift God has given us, we in turn give/share . . . . The Birth of Jesus Old Testament Prophecy – Isaiah 9:2-9; Micah 5:2-5a The birth narrative is told in two Gospels – Matthew (1:18-2:6) and Luke (2:1-20). • • • • • •

A trip to Bethlehem required by powerful Roman emperor. Mary and Joseph – young – difficult journey. Homeless strangers – seeking shelter. Animal’s feed box for a bed. The angels response to the announcement of the birth (Luke 2:13-14). Shepherds – the first to know – their action – leaving their flocks (Luke 2:15-20).

Although there has been a lot of research, we do not know how December 25 came to be adopted in the Christian Calendar as the date of Christ’s birth. The early Christian community was grounded in the proclamation of Jesus’ resurrection, so it was not until many years later that the Church established a festival to celebrate the nativity. It was the 4th Century (after the Council of Nicaea, 325) before the church began to celebrate the birth of Jesus in a “regular,” liturgical manner. Many practices of nations and groups into which Christianity became established were assimilated into religious ceremonies. The Reformation brought a refinement to the celebration of Christmas by emphasizing its Christian elements. Christmas Themes: • • •

Christmas is a time of celebration, our praise and thanksgiving for God’s unfailing love and God's gift of a great light – for all people. “The light shines in the darkness . . .” Historical significance – for the life of the world.

Hymn of Praise: During the seasons of Christmas and Time after Epiphany we sing “Glory to God” (the angels’ song from Luke) rather than “This is the Feast” as our Hymn of Praise during worship. -2-

Color: White, representing the light and joy of Christ. White is used on all festivals of our Lord: Nativity (Christmas), Baptism, Epiphany, Transfiguration, Resurrection (Easter), Ascension, and Christ the King (as well as All Saints Day and Trinity Sunday). Epiphany Epiphany comes from the Greek epiphaneia meaning appearance, revelation, manifestation. It is both a Feast and a Season, and it can be traced to the church in the East as a combined celebration of the birth and baptism of Jesus, that appears to predate the establishment of Christmas. This season bridges Christ’s birth and passion, and it reveals the glory of God and invites us all to know and to follow. The Feast - Epiphany of Our Lord – January 6 • •



Matthew 2:1-12: Magi, star in the east, Herod’s schemes. The “first” revelation: Wise men – Magi – first gentiles to acknowledge Jesus as “king” – representative of “the nations” (note: Magi were not kings, but priestly persons – also no mention of number, camels, etc.). The gifts (see also Fun Facts).

The Season – Time after Epiphany Throughout this season our readings will deal with the identity of Jesus being revealed, beginning with His baptism. •

Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-23) Dove – symbol of new creation after the flood (Genesis 8:8-12) God the Father, Son, Spirit (Trinity)



The Presentation of Our Lord (Luke 2:22-40) Presentation at 40 days Special offering for first born sons in Hebrew families (link w/Passover) Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:25-40) – Nunc dimittis



Transfiguration of Our Lord (Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:2-13, Lukr 9:28-36) Dramatic conclusion to the season of Epiphany (this year March 2). Moses (law) - Elijah (prophecy) – Jesus (fulfillment of Jewish scripture) “This is my Son” – also heard at Jesus’ baptism.

Colors of the Season: White on festivals (Epiphany, Baptism, Presentation, Transfiguration), green on the other Sundays (symbolizing growth). Length of the Season: 4 to 9 weeks. January 6 to Ash Wednesday, length of season is determined by the date of Easter. Symbols of the Season: Star, light. Themes of the Season: Discipleship, mission of the church, unity (January 18-25 is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity).

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~ SMALL GROUP TIME ~ ~ Advent/Christmas/Epiphany ~ 1) What is the Church Year?

2) List two symbols of Advent and their meaning.

3) What are the three arrivals of Christ that Advent lifts up?

4) Read Luke 1:26-38 again. Does Mary’s response surprise you? Why or why not?

5) What two Gospels tell the story of Jesus’ birth? What Gospel describes the visit of the Magi?

6) How many days of Christmas are there? What Festival concludes the Christmas season?

7) Give an example of how God uses ‘ordinary’ people from the Christmas story.

8) What do you think the Christmas story says about political and economic forces or the power of ‘kings’ and ‘rulers’?

9) In what way(s) does the Christmas season remind us of the cost of being a disciple?

10) What does Epiphany mean?

11) Give an example of how Jesus is “revealed” as the Son of God.

12) What do you think the purpose is in celebrating every year the festivals and seasons of the Church Year?

Did you know? (Fun facts to know and tell!) O Antiphons O Sapientia (Wisdom) O Adonai (Lord) O Radix Jesse (Root of Jesse) O Clavis (Key of David)

O Oriens (Dayspring) O Rex gentium (King of the Nations) O Emmanuel (God with us)

Each of these antiphons uses a different title or image for the Messiah from the Old Testament. Note the sequence – from the beginning (before creation) to end (Emmanuel - God with us). In Latin, the first letter of the word that follows ‘O’ forms the acrostic SARCORE, which read backwards is ‘Ero cras,’ meaning I will be present tomorrow. In the early monastic tradition these antiphons were sung at vespers for the seven days before Christmas Eve, so when the final antiphon was sung on the 23rd of December, the complete message was revealed. These antiphons are the basis for our Advent hymn, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” Xmas - This abbreviation for Christmas is of Greek origin. During the 16th century, Europeans began using the first initial of Christ’s name (in Greek) – “X” in place of the word Christ in Christmas as a shorthand form of the word. Before Santa Claus . . . St. Nicholas - born in Turkey in the 4th century. He was a Christian devoted to his faith and widely known for his generosity to the poor. The Romans imprisoned and tortured him, but when Constantine became emperor of Rome, he allowed Nicholas to go free. When Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea in 325, Nicholas was a delegate. He is remembered for his love of children and his generosity. Was Jesus Born “BC”? Jesus was born some time around the year 6 BC. King Herod who tried to kill baby Jesus by killing all the Jewish male infants in and around Bethlehem, died in 4 BC. This discrepancy happened when in AD 532 a monk, Dennis the Little, came up with the idea of marking years starting with Christ’s birth. Unfortunately the year of Christ’s birth was not known until MANY years later. About that star . . . Astrologers believed that stars announced great events. Some scientific suggestions for this star have included a comet, a new star, a supernova, or a convergence of planets. Saturn and Jupiter were merged in the night sky on three occasions in 6-7 BC, and a comet was recorded about 4 BC. How many wise men? There is no mention of the number, but the idea of three comes from the gifts that are mentioned. The gifts: Gold – a gift for a king; Incense (frankincense) – burnt in worship – signifies a priest; Myrrh (used for embalming) suggests one who will die. These gifts were clearly very valuable. Blessing of the Home: An Epiphany tradition still practiced by many. The door is often chalked with the following: 20 + CMB + 13. The numbers at the beginning and end (20 and 13) represent the year so they change each year. The letters in the middle stand for Christe mansionem benedica which means ‘Christ, bless this house’. Some assign the meaning of the letters to legendary names of the Magi – Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar

Our Verse: And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

What’s Next: Cluster Youth Gathering at Concordia next week, and “Deck the Halls” the following week. See you then!