EPIPHANY

We plan to take down our Christmas lights today. We would have done it yesterday, but it was raining-that fine mist that gets up under your umbrella no matter what. The day before was too windy. We live in Kansas; what else need I say.

There's a superstition that all the Christmas decorations should be down by Epiphany (Three Kings Day to those who know about such things) Probably started by some harried housewife who wanted to involve her family in the search and pack-up of all the ornaments and candles. How on earth do pine needles manage to hide until August, and then manifest in the middle of the living room carpet just before the in-laws arrive?

The word of the day for January 6, 2007 is "epiphany" - 1 capitalized : January 6 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles or in the Eastern Church in commemoration of the baptism of Christ. 2 : an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being. 3 a (1) : a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something. (2) : an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking. (3) : an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure. b : a revealing scene or moment.

Our quote for today is from Reginald Heber (1783-1826), Epiphany:

Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid.

;^)