A lot of folks are so focused with celebrating Christmas, they forget the celebration of Epiphany. Epiphany is the time after Christ's birth when the Three Wise Men journeyed to visit the Child Jesus. In times past, this holiday includes the twelve days after Christmas when the church celebrates the announcement of Christ as the Light of the world and to look back at the pilgrimage of the magi.
Many families outside the United States begin the celebration of Epiphany by thinking of others on St. Stephens Day. December 26 is St. Stephen's Day, in honor of Stephen the first martyr of the Christian faith. Family Bible reading on December 26 might include his story in Acts 6, 7, & 8.
His convictions about the revelation of Christ in the world brought about his death. In the book of Acts, he was considered the first martyr among Christians. For hundreds of years, people of the Christian faith have remembered his faithfulness on December 26, the day after Christmas. This day marks a day for selfless care for people in need, the unwanted, who have no people to love them.
Along with your family, it's nice to also find a needy family or support group to render services the day after Christmas. When most people are out shopping, you show that you care by bringing food or gifts to an impoverished family.
In Britain and Canada, this day is called Boxing Day, an official holiday in Britain. When my kids first heard of Boxing Day, they thought it was a celebration of those who box as a sport. They were surprised at the true meaning of Boxing Day.
On this day boxes of food are to be delivered to the needy, and in days gone by were given to servants from their employers. The spirit of Wenceslaus is demonstrated so that the entire community may celebrate with joy the manifestation of the Good News of Christ's birth.
Most of the time churches plan for this day to specifically render humanitarian services to the needy and thus show that God's Word requires good deeds to people near them. On this day, you can visibly see that love that people give to their fellow man.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Kerry Beck desires to give you her free Advent activities for your family's Christmas Celebration this year. Her package also includes the meanings of the words to 12 days of Christmas song.
0 comments:
Post a Comment