Vicar's Column

Have you still got your Christmas lights up? It is official; according to English Heritage we can leave our Christmas lights up until the feast of Candlemas which falls on 2nd February. In fact, this is what the Church has been saying all along, that is, since medieval times. Forget dry January (there are other seasons in which to be abstemious), the festivities can continue throughout the Epiphany season – to the extent that revelry is permitted during lockdown of course. We need our lights more than ever before to brighten our Covid confinement gloom. It resonates with the Danish notion of Hygge; a quality of cosiness that comes from doing simple things such as lighting candles, baking, or spending time at home with your family.

The word Epiphany means “manifestation” or “showing”. It refers to the manifestation of God, in Christ, to all people. The season of Epiphany focuses upon how Jesus, who is revealed through his baptism, words and ministry, and the witness of the Magi, is the Light of the World. This, Epiphanytide may the light of Christ be made manifest in all the dark places in our lives and land, so that they may be transformed by his humility and glory.

Revd Dr Lisa Cornwell