Epiphany and Little Christmas

Eastern Socks from Le Tissier

On January 6, Christians celebrate the feast of the Epiphany - sometimes called little Christmas. In France it is/was the day that people exchanged gifts; but for most, it is the day that marks the story of the Magi - three kings, mystics, who came to pay homage to an event that the heavens had predicted - the birth of a king.  They brought gifts, so we are told, - gold, frankincense and myrrh.

The word epiphany actually means:
(1): a sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something (2) : an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking (3) : an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure. 

Istanbul from Red Bird Knits

It is a wonderful story of rich, educated and powerful people being brought to their knees by something as simple as the birth of a child.

Maybe this is a time to think of our own epiphanies. To remember times when we had an intuitive grasp of reality, an illuminating realization! It's a wonderful way to start the new year. It's all about knowledge and experience, wrought through encounters with the divine.

One of my "epiphanies" came shortly after Christmas in early January. It was a very cold day -12C, but bright and sunny. The smoke clouds coming from the buildings downtown were horizontal and fluffy. I was pushing my son, then 2 1\2 years old in a stroller, he was looking up at the sky, when all of a sudden he said, "Look, Mom, angels!" Smoke and mirrors, angels and Magi, it's all in what you believe! Believe in Magic!


All epiphany stories welcome. I'd love to hear yours!

Dinner?  There are traditional cakes and sweetbreads, but I did find someone who suggested roast pork with gravy for Twelfth Night or Epiphany.  It is the end of the Christmas celebrations - so something festive would be in order.


The pictures are of knitting designs - socks because of the journey - all with an Eastern flavour.  Enjoy!