Epiphany

Epiphany, the 12th day of Christmas, is traditionally celebrated on the first Sunday of a New Year, between January 2 and 8. In 2008 it is January 6. The day commemorates the visit of the Three Magic to the baby Jesus in Bethlehem.

Catholic devotional writer Edward Hays, who painted the portrait of the Three Kings at right, notes in A Pilgrim's Almanac that this is a day to honor the great star that led the Magi to the Christ child. It is a day to "bring peace and a blessing to your home" and "to ponder the larger home in which you live, our galaxy, which is located in that vast and awesome neighborhood of the universe." Hays offers a good ritual to name this day:

"Step outside this evening and look up at the over 200 billion stars that blaze in beauty in our galaxy alone. The splendor of it should cause you to pray as did the Magi in adoration of God."