Epiphany 2024
Marking the Season of Epiphany
Churches often observe the season of Epiphany through liturgical changes. There might different liturgical prayers, service music, and liturgical hangings in the church but that may be all. However, there are many, many ways that churches can celebrate with some fun, seasonal formation. The season of Epiphany is very short this year, so make the most of it!
Celebrate all Twelve Days of Christmas!
Keep the church decorated through Epiphany! And then celebrate Twelfth Night! In 2024 January 5th falls on a Friday night. Watch a version of Shakespeare’s play “Twelfth Night” or have a reading at the church and invite the local theater company to bring their actors. Provide food, king’s cake of course, and enjoy the season. It is also a good night for a concert, circle dancing, or an intergenerational game night where folks bring their favorite board games to play with others. Create household sets of these Twelve Days of Christmas prayer cards and give out at the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services.
Since Epiphany Day, January 6, 2024, will be on a Saturday, why not have a King’s Cake competition at your church? Here is one example of a church that had their own Great Episcopal Baking Show.
And perhaps end with an intergenerational Epiphany Pageant.
Epiphany Resources:
Plan an Epiphany Party…With King Cake! For me, it isn’t Epiphany without the cake (and I prefer the French version). A quick search online will reveal all kinds of recipes for a King’s cake depending on the country of origin. But they are all delicious and central to a party.
Chalking the Door: An Epiphany Tradition. This is a great home activity that churches can help facilitate by creating take home baggies with chalk, an explanation of the practice, and prayers for the home. Or Intergenerational Epiphany With A “To Go” Bag offers even more resources and activities for the home.
Ideas for Epiphany Adult Formation will give churches different approaches and resources for deeper spiritual formation with adults.
Epiphany: Revelation and Coming Into One’s Own offers suggestions and resources for renaming liturgies during Epiphany as a season of revelation. While anyone can experience taking on a new name, this service is particularly meaningful for transgender and gender non-conforming (GNC) folks, and can be very powerful within the church community.
And just in case anyone is still reading, here is the bonus to use on January 7 to observe the Baptism of Jesus. This is the Lego video I made with the Sunday school at my church in Massachusetts. And if you are interested in using Legos in formation, please reach out at amyc@diocal.org.