Epiphany

Epiphany: a sudden, intuitive perception or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely or commonplace occurrence or experience.

Epiphany is the climax of the advent season. The twelve days of Christmas are counted from the evening of December 25th until January 6th, which is Twelfth Day. Today western churches celebrate the adoration of the Magi-- which has inspired countless works of art through the ages.

The Three Kings
Byzantine mosaic, 6th century

Movement and urgency shown with tiny bits of stone...

Adoration of the Magi
Gentile da Fabriano, 1423
Tempura on panel

Considered the culminating work of Gothic painting...

The Adoration of the Magi
Pieter Bruegel the Younger, 1567

The painting shows the Magi as mere "extras" in a bustling Flemish village...

The Magi Journeying
James Tissot c. 1886

A French Impressionist's interpretation...

And of course, the countless Christmas cards...