Most families get so wrapped up celebrating Christmas, they miss the celebration of Epiphany. Epiphany is the time period after Christmas where we look at the coming on the Wise Men to worship Christ. Historically, the holiday Epiphany included the twelve days after Christmas when the church celebrates the revelation of Christ as the Light of the world and recalls the journey of the magi.
Many families outside the United States begin the celebration of Epiphany by thinking of others on St. Stephens Day. December 26 is St. Stephen's Day, in honor of Stephen the first martyr of the Christian faith. Family Bible reading on December 26 might include his story in Acts 6, 7, & 8.
His convictions about the revelation of Christ in the world brought about his death. In the book of Acts, he was considered the first martyr among Christians. For hundreds of years, people of the Christian faith have remembered his faithfulness on December 26, the day after Christmas. This day marks a day for selfless care for people in need, the unwanted, who have no people to love them.
With your family, you might go out and help a needy family or join a local charity group to render services on the day after Christmas. During this time most families are out shopping and going after Christmas sales. You can make a difference in your community by bringing food boxes or presents to a family in need.
In Britain and Canada, this day is called Boxing Day, an official holiday in Britain. When my kids first heard of Boxing Day, they thought it was a celebration of those who box as a sport. They were surprised at the true meaning of Boxing Day.
On this day boxes of food are to be delivered to the needy, and in days gone by were given to servants from their employers. The spirit of Wenceslaus is demonstrated so that the entire community may celebrate with joy the manifestation of the Good News of Christ's birth.
Often churches organize the day to particularly serve the physical and spiritual needs of their neighbors and thus demonstrate that God's Word requires good deeds to others nearby. Boxing Day is one of those very visible ways to show the true gospel.
