Epiphany vs Baptism

  • Thread starter Thread starter on_the_hill
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
O

on_the_hill

Guest
Does the Christmas season end with the Epiphany or the Baptism?
 
It ends with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, January 13.
 
Last edited:
I see the feast of the Baptism of the Lord as an extension of Epiphany. Traditionally the Epiphany commemorates the revelation to the Magi, the baptism of the Lord, and the wedding at Cana - three epiphanies of Christ’s divinity.
 
Actually, traditionally in the east and the west, we celebrate Christmas through the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus (Candlemass in the west) which is on February 2, 40 days after Christmas. Although most in the west will take down their Christmas trees on January 6.

ZP
 
Last edited:
Liturgically, Christmas ends on January 13 in the Latin Rite.

Saturday, January 12 is a Christmas weekday and Monday, January 14 is a weekday in Ordinary time.

Traditions vary on when trees, nativity sets and other decorations come down: Epiphany, Baptism of the Lord, Candlemas. But I don’t believe that is what rhe OP was asking about.
 
Epiphany, Baptism of the Lord, Candlemas. But I don’t believe that is what rhe OP was asking about.
Correct, and thank you. I wasn’t certain about when Christmas ends. Someone on Facebook posted that the song “The 12 Days of Christmas” is the period between Christmas and Epiphany, and therefore marks the religious end of Christmas.

I wasn’t sure it was correct that Christmas ends on Epiphany, and now see it is not.
 
I see the feast of the Baptism of the Lord as an extension of Epiphany. Traditionally the Epiphany commemorates the revelation to the Magi, the baptism of the Lord, and the wedding at Cana - three epiphanies of Christ’s divinity.
The Sunday after the Baptism of the Lord always has a reading from the first two chapters of John’s gospel. This year it is the Wedding at Cana, completing the traditional commemorations.

The Magi are in Matthew 2, the Baptism begins Mark, the Wedding at Cana in John 2. Together with Luke’s account of Christmas, these episodes are the beginnings of the four gospels, something that can easily be forgotten.

These four epiphanies prefigure the epiphany to us, the proclamation of the Gospel. “Christ is present in His word, since it is He Himself who speaks when the holy scriptures are read in the Church.“ SC 7
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top