Epiphany

Definition and Meaning

The Korean name Juhyeonjeol means "the feast at which the Lord (主) was revealed (顯)." It renders the Greek epiphaneia ("appearing, manifestation"), and the feast is known in English as Epiphany. It falls on January 6. Whereas Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus, Epiphany commemorates the revelation of that same Jesus as Savior to the whole world, including the Gentiles. The Catholic Church calls it the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (Korean Junim Gonghyeon Daechugil), and Korean Protestants also use the name Gonghyeonjeol.

Biblical and Historical Background

Three main biblical passages are associated with Epiphany:

• The adoration of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12): Gentiles came to the infant Jesus and worshiped him.
• The baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17): a voice from heaven declared, "This is my beloved Son."
• The wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11): Jesus performed his first sign and manifested his glory.

The feast was first observed in the Eastern Church and is understood to have spread to the Western Church around the fourth century. The Western Church focused chiefly on the visit of the Magi, while the Orthodox Church centers the day on the baptism of Jesus and keeps it as the Feast of the Theophany.

In the liturgical year, the period from the day after Epiphany until Ash Wednesday is called the season after Epiphany. Churches that follow the Revised Common Lectionary (a table of Scripture readings shared by several denominations) observe the first Sunday after Epiphany as the Baptism of the Lord and the Sunday immediately before Lent as Transfiguration Sunday.

Practice in the Korean Church

The extent to which Korean Protestants observe Epiphany varies by denomination and congregation.

• The Anglican Church of Korea and the Lutheran Church in Korea place the liturgical year at the center of their worship and observe Epiphany and the season that follows according to appointed prayers and Scripture readings.
• In the Korean Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church of Korea (Tonghap), the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, and similar bodies, congregations that follow the liturgical year may preach on the related passages on the Sundays around Epiphany or change the chancel paraments from the white of the Christmas season to green. Actual observance, however, differs from congregation to congregation.
• Some Presbyterian denominations and many Baptist and Pentecostal churches do not observe Epiphany as a distinct feast. Some in the Reformed tradition, holding that the only holy day commanded in Scripture is the Lord's Day, have been cautious about emphasizing the feasts of the liturgical year.

The Catholic Church in Korea transfers the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord from January 6 to the Sunday falling between January 2 and 8. As a result, Protestant and Catholic churches often both mark the feast on the first Sunday after New Year's Day.