Gift
While it was not from the three Wise Men, and while we are not the Holy Family, we got a surprise gift like they did for today- from our grocery store, no less. "In appreciation of your loyalty"... with a nice pro-Family New Year's message. That's a good thing these days, and not common.
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| It isn't Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh, but it is useful nonetheless. |
Epiphany
This evening, as many of the family as could gathered for our observance of the Feast of Epiphany.
First we enjoyed a dinner together with good conversation. Then we lit all the lights and candles, including the tree, for one last time this season.
We used our traditional Epiphany Day service (copy available for anyone that would like one), with the focus on Christ's call of grace to the Gentiles and His threefold office as our Prophet, Priest, and King. We use the song "We Three Kings" and the catechism readings for that latter part.
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| The Kings Bread with crown (for the recipient of the King in his roll) and Gifts - note the "gold," which (chocolate) gets eaten after the service. The incenses are essential oils on some carrier material, wax or cotton. |
Then it is time for King's Bread - which are actually yeast rolls.
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| Traditional package design |
We had more rolls than people this year, so the first round did not produce a king, not the second. But eventually Thomas got the King in his roll and was duly crowned. I remember his second Epiphany, when he could actually eat food, he got the king, and we got pictures of Florian holding him with his crown. Sweet little guys - still sweet today, but not little.
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| See - he is a Christian King. |
You do such a wonderful thing for your family in keeping this tradition!! VERY few do anything to observe Epiphany! Do you bake the rolls? Nice gift from grocer! Nice to be appreciated and remembered.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you all. Very very nice!
Yes, you keep wonderful traditions in your family. I didn't have time today to make a kings cake (much wedding planning happening) but for our Bible lesson this morning I read to the boys Miller's sermon on Matt. 2 (from the book I told you about which I will send to you). There were many interesting explanations of prophesies and the star, the gifts, etc. I found this information about the magi especially enlightening-
ReplyDelete"Over 500 years earlier the Jews were carried as exiles into Babylon." (Previously he said that the wise men were from the east so must have come from Babylon or Persia) "There they built synagogs and read the Scriptures. Some were still there when Jesus came. One of those exiles was Daniel. Because of his great gifts he was made a ruler, first in Babylon, then in the Persian imperial court. He was himself a Wise Man and a leader of the magi. He taught the Magi the Bible and the Christian faith. He showed them the prophecies."
So this is where the magi came from and why they knew what had happened under the star.
Tomorrow we'll take the tree down and this year I'm sad about that. But...so much to do!
I made a King's bread which we ate with our breakfast and had a devotion. Our bread was rolled up with cinnamon and nuts and raisins and cut around the edges to look crown-like. I forgot to take pictures. Jonah got the "king" (okay, I use a penny, no figurines to be had around here).
ReplyDeleteI made a King's bread which we ate with our breakfast and had a devotion. Our bread was rolled up with cinnamon and nuts and raisins and cut around the edges to look crown-like. I forgot to take pictures. Jonah got the "king" (okay, I use a penny, no figurines to be had around here).
ReplyDeleteI forgot to answer this: Our Kings Bread comes from our baker. No need for me to bake when thousands are available. We do have a collection of little kings, so I will try to remember to send you one soon, Katie. Your breads sound very creative, in crown form. You maybe should designate a Mom's helper photographer, so we can see what you do.
ReplyDeleteYour book sounds like a good reference, Pam.