REAST OF EPIPHANY: RECREATING A JOURNEY 2,000 YEARS OLD, TRAVELERS FOLLOW PATH OF THE MAGI

An entourage of Christians riding on camels bedecked in colorful saddlebags and rugs traveled more than 1,000 miles through Iraq, Syria, Jordan and the West Bank to recreate the biblical journey of the Three Wise Men, who came from the East to pay homage to baby Jesus nearly two millenniums ago.

The culmination of that journey is Epiphany, observed today by Christians around the world.

It is the day that commemorates the presentation of the infant Jesus to the Magi, or wise men. Many area churches will mark the occasion with special services this weekend.

The observance of Epiphany depends on the denomination and tradition. Roman Catholics celebrate Epiphany on the Sunday that falls between Jan. 2 and Jan. 8.

Epiphany marks the end of the Christmas season, except in the Eastern Orthodox religion where it is celebrated as Christmas.

From the 4th century to the 6th century, Epiphany was celebrated with as much importance as Easter and Pentecost, said the Rev. Andy Pratt, campus minister at the Baptist Student Center at Southeast Missouri State University.

"I think we are missing something now because it doesn't have that importance," he said. "It's the idea of God being made manifest to the world and Jesus made light to the nations."

Culturally, New Year's Day, not Epiphany, marks the end of the Christmas season. "We are more dominated by culture than the presenting of Jesus to the world," Pratt said.

But a group of 60 travelers wanted to recreate the trip of the Magi and ended their two-month journey in Bethlehem on Christmas Day.

The trip was meant to honor Jesus on his birthday, said Robin Wainwright of Cold Springs, Colo. He and his wife, Nancy, decided eight years ago to embark on the two-month pilgrimage, recreating travel in biblical times.

The team of travelers followed the ancient path of the Magi, relying on old maps and biblical accounts to plan their journey and camping overnight in Bedouin tents.

The celebration of Epiphany is based on the gospel narrative of Matthew 2:1-12.

In the Christmas story, the wise men represent people coming to give adoration to the Christ child, and the infant's birth marks a gift to the world.

Often, Epiphany lessons center on the coming of the wise men, the infant Jesus at the temple and his baptism, Pratt said.

In a letter to the congregation at First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau, the Rev. Paul Kabo Jr. said, "The day of Epiphany brings Christmas to a glorious conclusion but we are not to stop there. The season of Epiphany is God's time to reveal God's glory."