The city celebrates with an extravagant parade after dark with dancers, acrobats, floats, and of course, the three kings themselves bringing gifts.
In Spain, Christmas is a day to go to church and spend with family, not a day for presents. It's the Three Kings who bring the presents on Epiphany. The celebration is joyful with cakes and stars lit in the home, not to mention the parade.
I love the idea of drawing out the Christmas story beyond one day and attaching gift giving, if we're going to do it, to an event that actually occurred in scripture. I also like imagining the raucous procession that could have accompanied the travelers - think, "Prince Ali" from Aladdin - showing all the best performers and extravagances from distant lands.
There was no parade in Albany today. No king cakes or bright stars in windows.
I celebrated Epiphany today in gratitude for that guiding light. Sometimes it is a bright light glaring so brightly at us that we cannot ignore it. Often in my experience, though, it's something much less discernible and even easy to overlook.
There are so many guides we could follow, so many forces competing for our attention. How difficult it can be to see the light that is right in front of our eyes.
Here is a prayer I ran across, that speaks to me today of God's light that guides us even when we are unsure.
May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be confident knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow the soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love.
-- St. Therese of Lisieux