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‘Twas the month after
Christmas and all through the home,
The joy dwindled down and
the gifts stood alone.
The tree was forgotten, the
ornaments stored
And everyone seemed to get
edgy and bored.
The long winter nights and
days without verve
Reduced us to getting on
each other’s nerve.
Yes, Christmas had come to a
dismal dead end,
And left us with bleak and
low spirits to fend.
Then out of the Bible there
‘rose such a clatter,
I opened St. Matthew to read
of the matter.
And what to my wondering
eyes should appear,
Some wise, weary trav’lers
to Jesus drew near.
They brought precious gifts
and praised him galore,
Then left on their camels,
lives changed evermore.
And I heard them exclaim as
they bounced out of sight,
“Keep Christ in your heart
each day and each night!”
Families seem to wind
down after Christmas. It’s easy to forget the
excitement of December. But Christmas joy deserves to
live. Read Matthew 2 to hear of the Wise Men who
worshiped Jesus with their presents and their presence.
Keep the joy alive in your family by attending worship
services every week where you’ll hear about Jesus, our
Savior, who gave His life to redeem us from our sins.
You’ll hear this Good News over and over. Like the Wise
Men, you and your family will be richer and wiser for
the experience.
Happy Epiphany!
EPIPHANY FACTS
Epiphany is
celebrated on January Sixth. It is also known as
Old Christmas, Twelfth Night, and Feast of the Three
Kings: Old Christmas, because the nativity was
celebrated on this date until the fourth century;
Twelfth Night, because it is the twelfth day after
Christmas; Feast of the Three Kings, because this
date is traditionally recognized as the time of the
visit of the Magi.
The tradition of
drama and miracle plays were common during the
Middle Ages. Shakespeare wrote his Twelfth Night
for production on this day. Christmas trees,
wreathes, holly, and pine boughs were often brought
from the homes to the town square for a bonfire as a
conclusion to Christmas celebrations on this night.
The French served Cake of Kings on this evening.
The person who found the bean baked with in the cake
was declared “king” (or queen) of the Evening.
Epiphany is still
celebrated with much fanfare among the Greek
Orthodox. It is remembered for a) the baptism of
Christ, b) the Holy Spirit descending in the form of
a dove, and c) the recovery of the cross under
Constantine. One or more doves may be released on
this day, and often the priest may bless a small
crucifix and toss it in the river. Greek sponge
divers take turns diving for the cross. The one who
finds it receives a special blessing.
Epiphany is generally
celebrated with solemnity within the Lutheran Church
today. It commemorates Christ God and Savior of
mankind: a) the manifestation of the Gentiles, b)
Christ’s baptism by John the Baptist, and c)
Christ’s first miracle in Cana. The theme of
epiphany is “The manifestation of the Light to all
the world”.
(Selections on this
page taken from the Department of School Ministry)
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Dates To
Remember:
Jan 2:
School
Resumes
Jan 11:
End
of 2nd Quarter
Jan 12:
There is School at
Immanuel -Parents transport students
Jan 22 - 25:
Parent/ Teacher
Conferences
Jan 28:
School Carnival
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