The feast of the Epiphany is more ancient than the feast of Christmas and it also is of a higher rank. Epiphany has a Privileged Octave of the 2nd Class, while Christmas has a Privileged Octave of the 3rd Class. Like all great feasts, it has a Vigil to prepare for the feast.
"This Vigil is not like that of Christmas, a day of penance. The Child whose coming we were then awaiting, in the fervour of our humble desires, is now among us, preparing to bestow fresh favours upon us. This eve of to-morrow's Solemnity is a day of joy, like those that have preceded it/and therefore we do not fast, nor does the Church put on the vestments of mourning. . . . the colour used is White. This is the Twelfth day since the Birth of our Emmanuel."
The Liturgical Year, Volume 2 by Dom Gueranger
Today is also the traditional Solemn Blessing of Epiphany Water. Attend this Blessing at church and bring home some water to use throughout the year.
O Lord, show us Thy Face and we shall be saved!
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