Feast of the Epiphany 2013

The Feast of the Epiphany in our house was a bit quiet this year. Due to sickness, we split Masses. When I got home from the early Mass with John, we ate a fun breakfast. With my not having energy to make a Three Kings Cake, Chris had the good idea to make "Three Kings pancakes"--one of which had a chocolate chip hidden in it. 

One last picture in front of the Christmas tree before I took down all the decorations in the afternoon: time to open gifts!

John and Mary received saint medals on chains--with a total value of about $3 each which is about all we are willing to lose when the children at this age inevitably break their chains. They also received two books, "Saints for Girls" and "Saints for Boys." John received the audio CD of "King of the Golden City," which is described as a wonderful allegorical story for children approaching their First Holy Communion. (After his listening to it once through during Quiet Time today, it already receives high marks from him.)

Mary and Margaret received new chapel veils. (Above, Margaret "smiling" for the camera.)

And the children received a state quarters map on which to start collecting state coins, about which they are quite excited. We went through Mama's coin purse and were able to fill about a dozen slots already!

After a simple dinner (nothing fancy this year), Chris performed the Epiphany blessing of the house, which privilege falls to the father when a priest isn't available. We obtained blessed chalk from our local cathedral and had real Epiphany water obtained from our traditionalist parish two years ago (it is a different blessing than regular holy water and isn't something the new rite does, I believe).

Bonus Reading: "We Don't Love Children, We Love Drywall" is a penetrating and compelling blog article, not about the moral (il)licitness of contraception, but about whether self-identified Christians even see children as blessings or not. It is written from a Protestant perspective and I think makes excellent points for all of us!