Epiphany Sunday – January 4, 2026

The word “Epiphany” originates from the Greek epiphaneia, meaning “manifestation” or “appearance.” It has roots in the word for sunrise and dawn. In ancient times, an epiphany meant either a visible manifestation of a god or the solemn visit of a ruler venerated as a god. An epiphany is a moment of sudden and great revelation or realization, as if a light has gone on, and now we understand. The symbolism of light is important: not only because of the star that guided the magi, but as it relates to the bright dawning of God’s self-revelation in Christ.

For Western Christians (Roman Catholic and Protestant churches) the most common usage of this word is for the yearly Christian celebration on January 6 and the season that follows. Also known as “Three Kings Day,” we celebrate the visit of the magi, the “wise men,” who traveled from afar to the newly born Jesus. The magi represent the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. More broadly, the day of Epiphany commemorates the revelation of Christ as the eternal Savior of all humankind. Christ reveals himself as the Son of God not only to the magi but also through his baptism (Mark 1:9-11) and through his first miracle in the turning of the water to wine at Cana (John 2:1-11). The liturgical season of Epiphany, which stretches from January 6 through Ash Wednesday, highlights all these “theophanies” or “epiphanies” of Christ’s divinity to the world.



Epiphany is the celebration of God’s manifestation or self-revelation to the world in Jesus Christ. In particular, we celebrate the revelation of God’s promise and purpose to the nations of the world, as the magi came from the East to worship the Christ child, and God’s covenant of grace is extended to all who believe the good news of Christ Jesus.

For Christians, Christmas marks the coming of God to us; Epiphany celebrates the appearance of the Lord in the midst of humanity. The Christmas stories of the birth of Immanuel declare the divine entry; Epiphany extols the revelation of God to the world in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. In our celebrations of Christmas and Epiphany we rejoice in the dawning and the arising of Light in darkness.

Epiphany not only discloses the Savior to the world but also calls the world to show forth Christ, to be witnesses to God’s true Light. The timeless mystery of the incarnation, God in flesh, leads us forth to show and tell of Christ as God’s gift of grace and salvation for all persons. Some call this ongoing epiphany the work of Christmas.

Excerpts from “What Is Epiphany?” by Katy Shevel @ https://pres-outlook.org/2023/01/what-is-epiphany-2/ and from “Epiphany” @ https://pcusa.org/about-pcusa/agencies-entities/interim-unified-agency/ministry-areas/theology-worship/worship/christian-year/epiphany