Excerpts

The Mucknell Martyrology describes the seasonal origin of the Feast of the Epiphany:

"The date chosen to celebrate [the Epiphany] goes back to the placing of the feast of the Nativity of Christ in the winter solstice: the north European pre-Christian tradition of celebrating the birth of the Sun on 25 December differed from the Mediterranean and eastern tradition of having 6 January as the Solstice. As often happens, the two dates merged into a beginning and end of the same celebration. The western Church adopted 'the twelve days of Christmas' climaxing on the eve of Epiphany, or 'Twelfth Night'. The implication by the fifth century was that this was the night on which the Magi arrived, and this day remains the chief day for celebrating the Incarnation for the Orthodox churches."

And indeed, the Magi made it to the crib, but it was touch and go whether they'd get through the West Bank checkpoints in time. thegirltryingtochangetheworld, who works for Christian Aid Southwest and who I know from Exeter, has recently visited the Holy Land, and this week is blogging some of her thoughts and stories. It's well worth a read:

"I stood by the huge concrete separation barrier which cuts the area [around Bethlehem] into dead, soulless ghettos, I spoke to inn keepers and shop keepers who are slowly getting back on their feet, I realised that the Wise Men from the East would never have made it to the manger without digging a tunnel..."