Epiphany Is Also Called Little Christmas Wtih Symbols and Traditions From Ohter Countries

Epiphany is also known as Little Christmas and it is also the the end of the twelve days of Christmas which start on December 25 in the evening and go until January 6. The meaning of Epiphany is to make known,to show, or to reveal. The Sunday between Christmas and Epiphany is known as Christmas tide. The birth of Christ is the on the day of Epiphany and in time to come was changed to be celebrated on December 25 instead. Epiphany is always celebrated on the 6th of January no matter what day it falls on. The western churches honor the three wise men or Magi, they are honored for memory of their visit to the infant Jesus. Many families set up a creche leaving the three wise men away from the crib and throughout the the twelve days of Christmas moving them closer each day,until they are beside the crib to see the baby in the manger. Some people bake a cake with a trinket or bean hidden inside, the person who gets the piece of cake with the trinket or bean gets to be the king at feast that day.

The Amish will observe Epiphany for them it is a very scared day for it is on this day that the three wise men found the Christ child. The will start the day by fasting followed by a noon meal after the meal they will go visiting with family members no gifts are exchanged.

SYMBOLS OF EPIPHANY

- The star is a traditional symbol is what guided the Three wise men to the birth place of Jesus.

- White and gold are the colors for epiphany white is to celebrate newness and hope while the gold is fit for a king.

- Frankincense is used to worship the temples and houses.

- Myrrh was used for embalming ;as well as a salve for irritations.

- Artworks that include the three wise men and the baby Jesus

SPAIN: THE children of Spain fill their shoes with straw and barley for the three wise men to fill with gifts the food they set out is for the camel instead of cookies for Santa. The people eat sweet donut shaped bread with candied fruit that will also contain either a small toy or a coin.

GERMANY: The children dressed as three wise men go from house to house signing carols of the Magi's visit and Jesus birth and collecting money for a specific charity. They chalking the year and initials KMB ( those of the the kings Kaspar,,and Balthazar's ) near the entrance of each lane. A church service is held to teach the children the story of of the three Wise men,they may even act out the Christmas story. At home in the rural areas frankincense is burned to cleanse the areas.On the eve of Epiphany come people gather to drink brockbier, this is a special beer that is brewed for this special occasion.

PORTAGUAL: The three wise men fill the Portuguese childrens shoes,they have left by doors and window sills for them, with gift of and sweets in return for the carrots and straw that was left for the three wise men's horses.

PUERTO RICO: The children wait for the the three kings to visit.As a night time ritual they fill their shoes with grass and straw for the three kings animals,upon awaking the following morning they find the shoes filled with toys and candy as a gift from the three kings.

ETHIOPIA: The celebration is very joyous pilgrims coverage from all over on the ancient city of Aksum where they will bathe in a great reservoir of water that have been blesssed by a priest.

GREECE: The Greek Epiphany allows for cleansing of the goblins also known as Kallikantzaroi, these goblin's pop up between Christmas and January 6th wrecking havoc. Legend says the mythical goblin-like spirits, live in the bowels of the earth, creeping out at the twelve days of Christmas to be mischievous.To ward of these goblins a black-handled knife, lower jaw of a pig, or a tangled strand of flax is hung up at Greek households. The only cure for all this is on the eve of Epiphany waters blessed by the village priest is sprinkled throughout the house. This usually keeps the evil spirits at bay for another year. Men also show their valor by diving into the seas or rivers to retrieve a cross, which hasbeen blessed by a Orthodox priest. Then diving into the freezing waters the men swim and dive to be the to get the cross, he who gets the cross is said to be blessed with health and good luck .

ITALY: In Italy they wait for Befanaon on ugly but kind witch. There is legend the she lost sight of the star that guided the three wise men and she lost her way. From then on she has been searching for the Christ child as see searches she'll leave gifts and candy at night for the boys and girls who have been good if you've been naughty you get coal. In modern times the names "Natale" & "Father Christmas are becoming more popular. Fish is a popular dish that is served before mass dinner along with a bread called panettone, which contains raisins and candied fruit, it's said make a sweet new year and honor the fertility of the earth.Nougat candies and rich to ginger bread are very popular.