Happy New Year!

It is a New Year! It is time for Epiphany on January 6th. On Sunday, January 5th we will have a special French Epiphany focus during worship and fellowship times. I encourage you to ponder what Epiphany is really all about.

What does Epiphany means?

Epiphany celebrates the manifestation of God to the world, and is celebrated on January 6th, or the first Sunday between January 2nd and 8th. The word "epiphany" comes from the Greek word epiphaneia, which means "manifestation" or "to reveal." Epiphany is celebrated in many ways, including: Western Christianity: Celebrates Christ's manifestation to the Gentiles, represented by the Magi's visit to the baby Jesus.

Eastern Christianity: Celebrates Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River, which revealed his identity to mankind. Culture: Celebrations vary by culture, but may include eating king cake, putting away Christmas decorations, parades, fireworks, and more.

Epiphany is also known as "Three Kings' Day" or "Twelfth Day" and is one of the three oldest

and most important Christian festivals, along with Easter and Christmas.

This year, here at Sneads Ferry Presbyterian Church, we are going to observe Epiphany from a French perspective. People of France celebrate Epiphany with “La Fête des Rois” (The Feast of Kings). Historically even the Kings of France participated in Epiphany celebrations. King Louis IX (Saint Louis), spent the day in fasting and prayer but, by the time King Louis XIV ascended the throne, parades had been organized featuring three kings who handed gold coins out to the spectators. Once home French families would eat a sweet known as a “Galette des Rois” or “Gâteau des Rois” (King’s Pastry, or King’s Cake). If this sounds like "Mardi Gras” to you, it is because the New Orleans festival was born from the same tradition, but took a secular path.

During the Epiphany service here on January 5th, the children’s meditation will focus on earthly kings bowing to the heavenly king, and how “holy days” help us remember the events in Jesus’ life. We will pray and then turn the children to face the congregation. At this point three kings will parade majestically down the center aisle to the music of “We Three Kings”.

The kings will give each child a chocolate coin and the children will then follow the kings out of the sanctuary to go to Sunday school.

The congregation may sing one or more French hymns and a choir anthem might be sung, such as “French Noel”. Everyone is then invited to fellowship time following worship offering French foods such as mini quiches, cheeses, French bread slices, cornichons (small French

pickles), palmiers, as well as individual “Gallettes des Rois”. “Gallettes” are delicious, special pastries integral to the celebration of “La Fête des Rois.” There is a coin inside one of the galettes. The person who finds the coin will be crowned King or Queen of the day and given a small gift to take home. Epiphany is about Jesus revealing the fact of God with us! How do you perceive God with you? How do you perceive God with us? Is God’s presence more, or less, of a mystery as you grow older? Have you ever had a profound epiphany of God’s literal presence with you through a unique experience?

Join us each and every week for opportunities to expand your mysterious encounter with the

living and loving Christ who seeks communion with us — new epiphanies on a daily basis!

Happy New Year!!!

Rev. Dr. Steve Fitzgerald

January 2025