The following quote from Learning to Wait: An Advent Meditation (Richard Beck) sums up many of my thoughts and confusion regarding Advent, Christmas and Epiphany:

“…Last year during Advent I noticed a lot of blog posts, Facebook updates and Twitter tweets lamenting people singing Christmas carols during Advent.
Yes, there are Advent snobs.
But the point is well taken, and one that I've only just recently come to appreciate. Because I didn't grow up in a liturgical tradition I never learned to note or appreciate the distinction between Advent and Christmas. It was all just Christmas to me.
But the distinction is this; Advent is a time of expectation, a season of waiting and anticipation. Christmas is a time of celebration and rejoicing for the gift that is given.
In liturgical time, during Advent Christ isn't yet born, we are looking forward, anticipating, longing for, and waiting for the birth of Immanuel.
This problem is exacerbated by the fact that many Christians (and the world at large) think that Christmas is only a single day. Christmas is a season. There are, as we all know, 12 days of Christmas. Those 12 days — from the Feast of the Nativity (Christmas Day) to Epiphany — are the Christmas season.
But that's not what most people think. Most people think Advent is the Christmas season. But it's not. Advent is Advent and Christmas is Christmas…”
“…Last year during Advent I noticed a lot of blog posts, Facebook updates and Twitter tweets lamenting people singing Christmas carols during Advent.
Yes, there are Advent snobs.
But the point is well taken, and one that I've only just recently come to appreciate. Because I didn't grow up in a liturgical tradition I never learned to note or appreciate the distinction between Advent and Christmas. It was all just Christmas to me.
But the distinction is this; Advent is a time of expectation, a season of waiting and anticipation. Christmas is a time of celebration and rejoicing for the gift that is given.
In liturgical time, during Advent Christ isn't yet born, we are looking forward, anticipating, longing for, and waiting for the birth of Immanuel.
This problem is exacerbated by the fact that many Christians (and the world at large) think that Christmas is only a single day. Christmas is a season. There are, as we all know, 12 days of Christmas. Those 12 days — from the Feast of the Nativity (Christmas Day) to Epiphany — are the Christmas season.
But that's not what most people think. Most people think Advent is the Christmas season. But it's not. Advent is Advent and Christmas is Christmas…”
Epiphany celebrates the arrival of the Magi who traveled across the known world to pay homage to the young King of the Jews. They came out of more than mere curiosity, they also brought with them gifts that bore powerful prophetic significance; gold reflected the kingship of Jesus the Messiah; frankincense was a spice used in the priestly duties; and myrrh was an embalming ointment that signified Jesus' death.Epiphany celebrates the arrival of the Magi who traveled across the known world to pay homage to the young King of the Jews. They came out of more than mere curiosity, they also brought with them gifts that bore powerful prophetic significance; gold reflected the kingship of Jesus the Messiah; frankincense was a spice used in the priestly duties; and myrrh was an embalming ointment that signified Jesus' death.

“…Last year during Advent I noticed a lot of blog posts, Facebook updates and Twitter tweets lamenting people singing Christmas carols during Advent.
Yes, there are Advent snobs.
But the point is well taken, and one that I’ve only just recently come to appreciate. Because I didn’t grow up in a liturgical tradition I never learned to note or appreciate the distinction between Advent and Christmas. It was all just Christmas to me.
But the distinction is this; Advent is a time of expectation, a season of waiting and anticipation. Christmas is a time of celebration and rejoicing for the gift that is given.
In liturgical time, during Advent Christ isn’t yet born, we are looking forward, anticipating, longing for, and waiting for the birth of Immanuel.
This problem is exacerbated by the fact that many Christians (and the world at large) think that Christmas is only a single day. Christmas is a season. There are, as we all know, 12 days of Christmas. Those 12 days — from the Feast of the Nativity (Christmas Day) to Epiphany — are the Christmas season.
But that’s not what most people think. Most people think Advent is the Christmas season. But it’s not. Advent is Advent and Christmas is Christmas…”
Epiphany celebrates the arrival of the Magi who traveled across the known world to pay homage to the young King of the Jews. They came out of more than mere curiosity, they also brought with them gifts that bore powerful prophetic significance; gold reflected the kingship of Jesus the Messiah; frankincense was a spice used in the priestly duties; and myrrh was an embalming ointment that signified Jesus’ death.

Epiphany is celebrated in some traditions on Jan. 6 and in others on the first Sunday after Jan. 1 each year.

The three gifts and the epiphany story tell us the three most important things God wants us to know:

• Gold — a gift for Kings: representing the Kingship of Jesus — Jesus is GOD (incarnate)

• Frankincense – spice used in priestly duties: the fragrance of life – (Emmanuel)

• Myrrh — an embalming ointment : representing Christ’s ultimate death and resurrection

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrate His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9; Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10; For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

All these traditions and celebrations point to a very important truth — the Son of God came to Earth. The God of the Universe sends both the wise (Magi) and the meek (shepherds) of the earth to worship Him. May WE continue to worship and serve Him every day of this New Year and present to him the gifts, not of frankincense and myrrh, but the living sacrifice of our lives — to use for His pleasure and purpose.

Len Browning is the pastor at The Journey First Baptist Church in Craig.