Epiphany

Epiphany is a Greek word meaning manifestation or appearance. In Christian theology it marks the the revelation of Jesus as God on earth. In Eastern churches this means the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan. Western churches tend to mark the visit of the Magi or the Wise Men, people who weren't Jews but who knew that the child was special because of the astronomical signs. By the way, nowhere in the Bible does it say there were three of them, only three gifts, all with great symbolic meaning. Of course, these stories were written down well after the events and are almost certainly embroidered for effect. Whatever you believe, it is still amazing that events from 2000 years ago still have any significance at all.

On a more mundane note, today is the 31st anniversary of me passing my driving test!

The photo today is of a glass bauble bought for me by my mum at Burton Agnes Hall when we visited before Christmas. It is now in the box with all of the other ornaments which have special meanings attached to them - a bit like the gifts of the Magi!