Epiphany Celebrations 2012

Today I would like to share with you some scenes from our Epiphany celebration in our home.
The celebration starts our the night before with the placing of our shoes ready for the Epiphany gifts.

Each year these are basically the same:

Gold = Gold Coins
Frankincense = Tea
Myrrh = Cloves or I have used a small stone
Jelly beans = The reason for the Jelly Beans is to show all of the blessings we have in Christ
The symbols for this are:
Red is for the blood He gave,
Green is for the grass He made,
Yellow is for the sun so bright,
Orange is for the edge of night.
Black, white, brown, yellow and red is for the children He made
All of these colors receive the grace He gave,
Purple is for the hour of sorrow,
Pink is for the new tomorrow.

I do so love to see the current baby's little shoes filled for the first time - it is a memory I treasure each year, a blessing I am thankful for.

Morning arrives and after another waiting game for Corbyn the opening of the symbolic gifts can commence

Trahaearn with his first Epiphany gifts

His first taste of chocolate, just a little one mind you

The wise men had arrived at the manger after traveling from one side of the lounge room  the East

We then transform the Christmas Crib to a Throne for the Child King on Epiphany.
This will be our 'stage' for the presentation of the gifts by the 'Three Kings' who find the beans in the Epiphany cake after dinner.

The capes and crowns for the lucky Kings

Jesus sits Enthroned

The Gifts ready - Gold Frankincense and Myrrh

Our chalkboard summery of the day- courtesy of Anna-Lisa this year.

The cake made by Rogan with the beans inside....just waiting to be chosen

Corbyn for once wasn't interested in the cake. He kept running his hands through it scrunching it up saying "I hope I get to be a King", sadly there was no been in his cake though.

Here are our Three Kings, Oh yes there are four this year. As it turned out two of our older children graciously gave the thrill of acting as the kings to Corbyn and Myffwyn. When it was obvious that ALL the younger children would be doing this, Arwen decided she wanted to be a king too.
This was not a problem. We quickly found another cape and crown and a small glass jar for a gift and we have ready.....The Four Wise Men

So each of the Kings proceeded forward to present their gifts to the Child Jesus. Moran was first and is always so sure of herself in this area.

Arwen was so cute

Corbyn was so excited

Myffy was a little embarrassed and so proceeded quickly

"Thank you for being here tonight"

Arwen kept giving Jesus a kiss 'cause she loves Him'

Jesus with all His gifts arrayed around Him

Afterwards while older children finished cleaning up each of the younger children help Jesus and then proceeded to dance around to the music that was playing

Very loved Child

Reflux baby Jesus - you can tell when a family has a reflux baby in the family as this is the way you hold them

More cuddles for  Baby Jesus

Tonight we used this  blessing for our home after the cleaning up and  and the Presentation of Gifts~

Blessing of the Home on the Feast of the Epiphany

Priest:	Peace be to this house.
All:	And to all who dwell herein
Priest:	From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial.
During the Magnificat below, the room is sprinkled with holy water and incensed:
All:	My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For He hath regarded the humility of His handmaiden. For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath done great things to me, and holy is His Name. And His Mercy is from generation unto generations upon them that fear Him. He hath shewed might in His arm, He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent empty away. He hath received Israel, His servant, being mindful of His mercy. As He spoke to our Fathers, Abraham and His seed forever.
All:	From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial.
Priest:	Our Father Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and  forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead and lead us not into temptation,
All:	But deliver us from evil.
Priest:	All they from Saba shall come
All:	Bringing gold and frankincense.
Priest:	O Lord, hear my prayer.
All:	And let my cry come unto Thee.
Priest:	Let us pray. O God, who by the guidance of a star didst on this day manifest Thine only-begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that we who know Thee by faith may also attain the vision of Thy glorious majesty. Through Christ our Lord.
All:	Amen
Priest:	Be enlightened, be enlightened, O Jerusalem, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee-- Jesus Christ born of the Virgin Mary.
All:	And the Gentiles shall walk in thy light and kings in the splendor of thy rising, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon thee.
Priest:	Let us pray. Bless, O Lord God almighty, this home, that in it there may be health, purity, the strength of victory, humility, goodness and mercy, the fulfillment of Thy law, the thanksgiving to God the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. And may this blessing remain upon this home and upon all who dwell herein. Through Christ our Lord.
Bless each room with incense and Epiphany Water. Write the Magi’s initials, connected by Crosses, and the year’s numbers over the front door with the blessed chalk, like this: 20  G+M+B  04

Information on the Gifts

I pray you enjoyed this glimpse into our celebration this year.

Blessings to you and your homes,