Celebrating Epiphany with a Christmas Card Prayer Path

Christmas decorations (including outdoor lights) remain up at our house for the “12 Days of Christmas” culminating with Epiphany on January 6th.  The candles will be left in the windows through Candlemas on February 2nd, but that’s for another post. 

Through the years I’ve looked for ways, old and new, to celebrate the rhythm of the liturgical year (the Christian/Church calendar).  Our "Christmas Card Prayer Path" is a favorite. 
 
Throughout December as Christmas cards come in, we often take a quick glance before putting them in a card holder on the wall. When Epiphany, also called “Three Kings Day,” arrives on the 6th, we gather the stack of cards and lay them end to end, attaching them with tape. 

After all are attached, the kids form whatever path shape they want leading to the nativity with its Christmas star overhead.  Some years it has been a swirl, others a zig-zag of jagged turns, and once it looked almost straight!  Isn't that the journey of life?!
 
They choose which Magi to accompany, then for the next 30-40 minutes, we join these learned “Wise Men” from the East on their journey to meet Jesus, Love Incarnate.  Their journey (and ours) begins with the first card they are set on.  As the Magi move toward the manger, the name(s) on each card are read and a blessing is said for each person, family, or group.  

It’s usually something simple like, “Thank you for being part of our journey…
…may you be blessed with peace & joy this year.”
…may the love of God be with you.” 
…may you continue to give and receive love.”
 
Throughout the prayer path, we pause when we hear, “Who’s that?” or “Do I know them?”  We get the opportunity to introduce names and faces to each other. There are memories shared and stories told.  We discover new friends on the journey.  And we get to enjoy the humor and beauty of the cards themselves (deciding that some need to be added to our crafting and collaging materials!). 
 
When we reach the last card, we say a prayer for all of those beyond the cards who are part of our journey and we theirs.  Our prayer ends with acknowledging that although we’ve made it to Jesus with the Magi, it’s just the beginning of this year's journey of incarnating Love. 


*Magi from Build Your Own Bethlehem by Gertrud Mueller Nelson and The Christmas Star from Afar Wooden Nativity Set and Book