Don't know if many of you are aware of it, but Orthodox Greek Christians treat Epiphany, the day the Wise Men came, as their Christmas . . . at least in the Old World. I had a lot of Greek architecture clients in Asheville. Their kids REALLY enjoyed the holidays. They had TWO Christmas's. One on the 25th and one on January 6. If they were really, really lucky they also had some Jewish friends, so they could throw in celebration of Channukah.
Something that surprised me in Mexico was that Christmas season began there on December 24 and ended on January 6. I remember that the biggest Christmas Party, my Mexican girl friend and I attended was on January 6. Like the Greek Orthodox, they gave presents on January 6.
The most fun thing about the nightly Christmas parties in Mexico was the song we would sing in order for the hosts to allow us entry into the party. It was essentially the story of Mary and Joseph going door to door looking for a place to stay in Bethlehem.
Makes sense . . . the Wisemen brought gifts to the Baby Jesus.
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| Tomorrow is Epiphany - Greek Orthodox Christmas |
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kywonder
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Jan 5 @ 10:45PM
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Yes my daughter is celebrating Epiphany tonight by tying candy to the tree. Tomorrow the kids will strip the candy from the tree and she will take down it down.
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QtrAcreGalSeeking
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Jan 5 @ 11:03PM
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Historically and as an adult, I've put my tree up and decorated it, after Santa appears at the end of the Macys Parade on Thanksgiving. In keeping with my Scottish ancestry, I would give out a Christmas card and ornament on St. Nicholas Day (Dec. 6?), treat Christmas Eve as the RELIGIOUS birthday and the solemn holiday, December 25 as the feast day, and open presents on Dec. 26, or what is known in the UK as Boxing Day. 
It is on Epiphany, that my tree has historically come down, laden with suet stuffed in orange peels for birds outside. 
This year....NO DAUGHTERS, NO TREE. Still, I remember the Wise Men...their treacherous pilgrimage to God Made Manifest on Earth.... 
pilgrimages....walkathons for me now. 
I salute and send prayers of gratitude, for the Kings who set forth my Most Honored Example of sacrificial walking in honor of OTHERS. 
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KnittinKitten
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Jan 5 @ 11:43PM
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This is a lot of the information I have been learning in Bible Study and in attending the Lutheran Church. It's very interesting to see how many things in the Old Testament intermingle with the New Testament. And, this year we have Chanukah intermingling with Christmas.
I have never been to a Christmas Celebration that was held on January 6th. But, back home in Ct., my folks sold their house to the Greek Orthodox Church and, on the grounds was built a beautiful church. There was definitely celebrating going on there, and it included January 6th. I should have gone over to visit.
Happy 2009 to all...whatever we call it, let's DO it.
Fondly,
KK
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Etowah
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Jan 5 @ 11:49PM
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Oh! The Mexican girl friend was many, many years ago. I am not cheating on her. 
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