12 Days of Christmas swap, Day 12: Epiphany

Today is the Epiphany. I have heard the word, but I always thought it meant something similar to what I found in my old American Heritage hardback dictionary. Here is what I read:

Sudden realization about the nature or meaning of something. An epiphany can often come about as a result of an experience that triggers the sudden realization.

But that is NOT attached to the 12 Days of Christmas, so I searched online. According to Your Dictionary, there are several definitions for Epiphany:

Ephiph-any (ē pif′ə nē, i-)

noun pl. Ephiphanies-·nies

1. an appearance or manifestation of a god or other supernatural being
2. in many Christian churches, a yearly festival, held January 6, commemorating both the revealing of Jesus as the Christ to the Gentiles in the persons of the Magi and the baptism of Jesus also called Twelfth Day
3. 1. a moment of sudden intuitive understanding; flash of insight
   2. a scene, experience, etc. that occasions such a moment

Yet another site, The Voice, had this to offer:

In western Christian tradition, January 6 is celebrated as Epiphany. It goes by other names in various church traditions. In Hispanic and Latin culture, as well as some places in Europe, it is known as Three Kings’ Day.

Epiphany is the climax of the Advent/Christmas Season and the Twelve Days of Christmas, which are usually counted from the evening of December 25th until the morning of January 6th, which is the Twelfth Day. In following this older custom of counting the days beginning at sundown, the evening of January 5th is the Twelfth Night. This is an occasion for feasting in some cultures, including the baking of a special King's Cake as part of the festivities of Epiphany (a King's Cake is part of the observance of Mardi Gras in French Catholic culture of the Southern USA).

And finally, I found a good definition on the KU Medical Center Diversity Calendar website:

Epiphany (Christian)

Epiphany is one of three major Christian celebrations along with Christmas and Easter. It is celebrated by most Christians on January 6 to commemorate the presentation of the infant Jesus to the Magi, or three wise men. Roman Catholics celebrate Epiphany on the Sunday which falls between January 2 and January 8.

Epiphany is derived from the Greek epiphaneia and means manifestation or to appear. In a religious context, the term describes the appearance of an invisible divine being in a visible form.

The celebration of the Epiphany began in the Eastern Church and included a celebration of Christ's birth. However, by the 4th century C. E., the various calendar reforms had moved the birth of Christ to December 25 and the church in Rome began celebrating January 6 as Epiphany. Armenians still celebrate the birth of Christ on January 6.

The period between December 25 and January 6 is known as the Twelve Days of Christmas and is the subject of a popular Christmas song.

Ah-ha. Now we're getting somewhere. So whether you are a Christian or not, religious or not, here is the final gift from this great 12 Days of Christmas swap.


A snowflake showed what day this package was to be opened, while a tiny gold thread held the wrapping paper in place. Attached was an itsy light bulb and a metal tree charm.

Inside was an awesome drummer boy, and his twelve companions all stamped out and lined up ready to make some noise.The drummer sits above the background, and his chin strap is a string of gold beads.


I accidentally thought the back was the front. Some of these were designed so well, it was hard to tell which side was which. However, you can see this one was made by Jo Ann (I whited out her last name for security reasons). I have no blog address for Jo Ann.

This is the perfect end to an absolutely stunning swap! Happy Epiphany everyone. I guess, if you haven't already done so, it's now time to take down your Christmas decorations.