In the child's book note that "We Celebrate All Saints' Day" can be used as both a celebration of saints and recognition of a holy day within the church. On this website, it is featured under Saints. The term epiphany comes to us from the Greek word epiphaneia, meaning "manifestation." On the Feast of the Epiphany, the Western Church celebrates the manifestation of God to the world through the visit of the Magi. In the Eastern Church the celebration of God's manifestation, or Epiphany, is centered on the Baptism of Christ.

In the Western Church, the story of the Magi is central to the celebration of the Epiphany of Christ to the nations. Although many legends have sprung up around the Magi, the Scripture story of their arrival is not to be read as an historical event. Instead, Scripture invites us to delve deeper into the mystery of God's revelation to all people, and not just the Jews, a common theme in Matthew's Gospel.

The Church's calendar shows the Feast of the Epiphany to be January 6. However, it is celebrated on the Sunday that falls between January 2 and January 8. On this feast, Christians celebrate that Jesus, the Son of God and our Savior, was a gift from God the Father to all people of the world.

Family Activity

	A star led the Magi to the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. With your child, create a bright star of Bethlehem. Work with yellow or orange construction paper, adding color with markers, foil, or glitter glue. Place the star on your refrigerator, or add yarn and hang it from an inside doorway to remind everyone that Jesus is the Light of the World.

See the Liturgical Calendar on this site for additional information.
See also Catechist—Holy Days or Teacher—Holy Days for Liturgy.