‘Epiphany’ (from the Greek word for ‘showing’) of God to humanity in Jesus. This is also when the visit of the wise people from the East is marked.
In the Diocese this can be seen as a time for retreat, quiet and calm after the busy Christmas season.
January 27th – Holocaust Memorial Day for which the Memorial Day Trust will often produce resources for schools.
Candlemas on February 2nd marks the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, a story told in Luke 2:22-40.
Schools
Schools may want to consider leaving some or all Christmas decorations up until this January 6th to keep the 12 days of Christmas celebration. The time also ties in with the start of the calendar year when people can make resolutions and reflect on their lives to date and to come.
In school this can be translated into personal reflection on how the year is going and what goals and aspirations we have for learning in the time ahead.
Candlemas is a good time to consider the things we use in collective worship and class for spiritual reflection, reminding ourselves of the meanings of the coloured cloths we use and possibly having a time to bless the candles in use. The main focus should be on renewing the importance of these spaces throughout the school.
Retreat and Reflection
Could classes find ways to mark one time, possibly a part of a day, for reflection? This could possibly take the form of a retreat, either within the school grounds or to a quiet space that will encourage thoughtfulness (the local church?)
Families and Homes
We could look, each year, at making this a time when three BIG questions are created, for special thought and discussion, between Epiphany and Candlemas, such as:
- what is the most important lesson I have ever learned?
- what are the most important things in life?
- what one lesson would you want to teach others?
At Epiphany, school could encourage children and families to chalk the Epiphany mark outside their house.
Engaging the Church
Church could make a point of advertising any times it is open for quiet and visits from the general public – and consider starting some if not (possibly consulting the parental community as to when would be the best times to open in this way.
Churches for whom it is in keeping with their tradition could join with the blessing of chalks for Epiphany.
Church could make arrangements for those baptised at the church to revisit around the time when Christ’s Baptism is celebrated. This could involve a simple service or just be a welcome, a cuppa and chance to recall the time, whether at this church or elsewhere.
Diocesan
A video could be made to mark the feast of Epiphany and start of the new year – possibly one of the Bishops (with a Christmas tree, still decorated, in shot?)
Dates to note
Epiphany January 6th
Conversion of St Paul, January 25th – an opportunity to read some words from Paul (1 Corinthians 13?) and remember his contribution to our faith/
Candlemas February 2nd
Martin Luther King Day
Schools should mark the USA’s celebrations of Martin Luther King Day. The great Christian civil rights leader was born on Dr King on 15th January, 1929. In 1994 Congress designated the third Monday of January should be celebrated as Martin Luther King day.
The Baptism of Christ
The Baptism of Christ is celebrated on the Sunday following 6 January. The Friday before or Sunday after could involve a time of thinking about milestones of our lives.
Families could discuss the most important events in the lives of children, parents and grandparents – significant moves, times when something special happened.
Understanding Christianity
The concept of Gospel provides a chance to reflect on the teaching and life of Jesus and how we engage with it.