Celebrating Epiphany: A Light for Homeschool Families

I grew up in a liturgical church. As a result, the church holidays are especially meaningful for me. I like to look for meaningfull ways to weave the rhythms of faith and family life together. The church year is rich with opportunities to do just that, and Epiphany is one of those treasures that can light up our homes during the dreary, gray days of early January.

Whether you’re new to observing the liturgical year or a seasoned pro, let’s explore what Epiphany is, why it’s worth celebrating, and a few simple ways to honor it with your family.

What Is Epiphany?

Epiphany, which means “manifestation” or “revelation,” is celebrated on January 6 (or the nearest Sunday in some traditions). It marks the day the Magi, or wise men, visited the Christ Child, recognizing Him as the Light of the World. It’s also a time to reflect on Jesus being revealed to the nations, this is a reminder that His light shines for everyone, everywhere.

For many, Epiphany wraps up the 12 Days of Christmas and transitions us from the festive celebration of Christ’s birth to a focus on His mission in the world. It’s a day of light, revelation, and joy.

Why Keep Epiphany?

Life gets busy, and it’s easy to let the meaning of the Christmas season fade once the new year rolls in. Observing Epiphany can help us pause and refocus. It’s an invitation to remember that Jesus is the light in our homes, communities, and world, a truth we can carry into the rest of the year.

For homeschool families, Epiphany offers a beautiful opportunity to tie in lessons about history, geography, and faith. From learning about the Magi to creating simple traditions, it’s a way to keep Christ at the center of your family’s story.

Ways to Celebrate Epiphany

Here are a few ideas to make Epiphany meaningful in your home:

1. Read the Story of the Magi
   Start by reading Matthew 2:1–12 as a family. If you’ve been using a nativity set, now’s the time to add the wise men to the scene!

2. Light Candles
   Epiphany is often called the “Feast of Lights,” so light some candles during dinner or in the evening to symbolize Jesus as the Light of the World.

3. Bake a King Cake
   Many cultures celebrate Epiphany with a King Cake or other festive treats. Hide a small figure or bean in the cake, whoever finds it gets to “host” the next celebration, receives a special prize, or lead a prayer.

4. Bless Your Home
   A traditional Epiphany house blessing can be as simple as writing “20+C+M+B+25” above your doorway with chalk. The letters stand for “Christus Mansionem Benedicat,” Latin for “May Christ bless this house,” and also honor the traditional names of the Magi (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar).

5. Explore the World of the Magi
   Use this time to study the geography of the Magi’s journey or explore the star they followed. Tie it into a science or history lesson, I love adding cross-curruculim learning to our homeschool.

6. Serve Others
   As Epiphany reminds us of Christ’s mission to the nations, consider making this a day to serve your community. It could be as simple as delivering cookies to neighbors or writing notes of encouragement to friends.

7. Create Epiphany Art
   Let your kids get creative by making star-themed crafts, painting nativity scenes, or designing their own Magi crowns.

Keep It Simple

The beauty of Epiphany is that it doesn’t have to be elaborate. Whether you choose one tradition or several, the goal is to keep Christ at the center and to make memories with your family.

By pausing to celebrate this often-overlooked day, you’ll remind your children (and yourself) that the light of Christ doesn’t end with Christmas. It’s a light that shines all year long, guiding us on our own journey of faith.

To help serve families, I’ve created a new unit that walks you through the week leading up to Epiphany. We’ll celebrate with crafts that point us to Jesus, narration, artist study, hymns, and composer study. This unit will release on December 20th. I hope its a joy for your family.