Welcome to the season of Epiphany – The time that marks the visit of the Wise Men or Magi to the infant Jesus.
What is Epiphany?
Epiphany is the Christian feast on January 6th (or 19th for some Orthodox) marking the manifestation of Jesus to the world, primarily celebrated as the visit of the Magi (Wise Men) to the Christ child. Epiphany also commemorates his baptism and the miracle at Cana, signifying his divinity to Gentiles. The word means “revelation,” and in secular use, it refers to a sudden, insightful realisation. Celebrations include Three Kings’ Day festivities, water blessings (Theophany), and removing Christmas decorations, symbolizing the revelation of Christ’s glory. Generally, it occurs on the Twelfth Day – 6th January.
The Three Kings
Although we often think of three kings, their number isn’t actually mentioned in the Gospel accounts. They are described as ‘wise men’; astronomers and astrologers ‘from the East’. Again, we don’t know from where exactly. They had noticed a phenomenon in the night sky – an unusually bright star, which they interpreted as the sign of a newborn king of the Jews. These men felt compelled to travel many miles (possibly on the Silk Roads) to find this child so they could present gifts to honour his status and significance. They brought three special and expensive gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh – all marking the baby’s status, in life and eventually, in death.
Worship rota for January / February
Our services for this period of Christmas, which lasts until Candlemass at the start of February – The rota is shown below, or download here.
St Peter’s and the Langtons churches are part of the wider Launde Deanery Minster Community, which serves all the villages in south east Leicestershire. Revd Crystal McAllister, Minster Community Oversight Minister with the team look after the services.
The Minster Community offers various activities and gatherings too – Find out what’s on this month on our What’s On page.
Zoom Services – Every Week
All the details are found here and you can worship even if you aren’t able to join us in person. There is a weekly service on Saturday live from Gaulby and Sunday worship too. Click the link below for the details and then links from there for Sunday and Saturday worship.
We are delighted to present our newsletter full of information about our worship community in south Leicestershire. The link below takes you to the page where all the newsletters are found, and from there you can download each one individually. The most recent edition is shown at the top of the list and dated. Click on the download button to read.
St Peter's Church, Church Langton 