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Markkula Center for Applied Ethics

Christmas and Epiphany

Christmas begins on Christmas Eve and ends twelve days later with the Feast of the Epiphany. Christmas Eve is the Vigil before Christmas Day. The Solemnity of the Incarnation on Christmas Day celebrates the coming of Jesus as both God and Man. The Epiphany celebrates the travel of the the Magi, also called the Three Wise Men or Three Kings, from the East to pay homage to Jesus Christ. The colors for this season are white and gold to symbolize purity and richness.

 

The birth of Jesus

 

Build. Plant. Grow. provides catechetical instruction for children based on the Sunday readings of the Christian Church during the period beginning with Advent up to and including the closure of the liturgical year with the Feast of Christ the King. These readings from the Lectionary are divided into three-year cycles

Lesson plans include a short exegesis of the readings, application to a children's book, and the virtue that is common to the Bible readings and the children's book, activities to extend the understanding of the virtue, practical advice for incorporating the virtue in an age-appropriate manner. Examples of the children's books include such favorites as A Light in Every Window and Dear Children of the Earth.