Epiphany marks appearance of Christ

UMs try to reclaim
liturgical season that
follows Christmas days

By Rachel L. Toalson
Staff Writer
The Rev. Virgilio Vazquez-Garza of San Antonio remembers falling asleep as a child in Mexico with a view of his shoes at the end of the bed. Excitement over what might fill them Epiphany morning made closing his eyes difficult.
By the time the San Antonio District superintendent was 10, Santa Claus and his Christmas gifts had overshadowed the events on the Day of the Three Kings, Jan. 6. That’s Epiphany, the start of the liturgical season that follows the 12 days of Christmas and continues until Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent.
During Epiphany Christians celebrate, among other things, the arrival of the magi to worship Jesus, the revelation of Christ to humanity and the baptism of the Lord.
The Epiphany of the Lord predates Christmas on the Christian calendar, said the Rev. Mark Adams, pastor of First UMC, Schulenberg. Epiphany, which means “appearance,” was once the second holiest day—after Easter—in the church year. But it has lost its luster in the eyes of the American public.
“It’s probably the most ignored season of the church year,” Adams said. “I began to realize early in my career that people have gotten away from Epiphany. But it’s important. It’s a beautiful season that includes the baptism of our Lord.
“I don’t want people to forget about the importance of Epiphany. It’s a beautiful way to put a footnote at the end of the (Christmas) celebrations.”
To ensure that people don’t forget Epiphany and what it represents, Adams and Vazquez-Garza are having Epiphany parties.
For several years, Schulenburg church members have attended Epiphany celebrations, Adams said. During the party a King’s Cake is cut. Various toys are baked into the batter—plastic crowns to represent the magi, an image that represents Jesus, a plastic seashell to represents the baptism of the Lord. People eat cake until they find the hidden pieces.
The San Antonio District is to have its second Epiphany party Jan. 5, Vazquez-Garza said.
In Austin, Liby Beck, director of lay ministries at Tarrytown UMC, said her congregation plans an Epiphany feast and celebration Jan. 6 as well. The 5:30 p.m. party is to feature intergenera-tional activities, a retelling of the wise men’s visit to the Christ child and a short play for all ages. The gathering is also to have a King’s Cake.
Beck said she hoped the celebration would remind people of the beauty of the Epiphany season.
“We want to bring everybody’s attention to it, from children all the way to adults,” she said. “The season is not over Dec. 26. After Christmas, people can focus more on the story.”
Vazquez-Garza said the Epiphany message cannot be forgotten, particularly in Latin America, where he grew up.
“This was the first time that those who were not Jews came to worship Christ,” he said. “When you’re outside, looking in, Epiphany is such a wonderful message. You’re outside, but you can come in.
“In Latin America, many people are outside. Many people are poor. But Epiphany is a powerful message of inclusiveness because Jesus, as a baby, welcomed outsiders.”