Published: Tuesday, Jan. 06, 2009 / Updated: Tuesday, Jan. 06, 2009 11:56 AM

A discussion on Epiphany with Rev. Sally Franklin

Two-minute Tuesday with the Rector, St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Fort Mill

Christians recognize Epiphany as the day when the Wise Men arrived to deliver gifts to the newborn Christ child.

Epiphany is the climax of the Advent/Christmas season and the "12 days of Christmas," which are usually counted from the evening of Dec. 25 until the morning of Jan. 6, which is the 12th day. The Rev. Franklin talked about Epiphany in an interview with The Herald.

What does Epiphany signify?

Epiphany means an insight, a revelation, a revealing. The season of Epiphany begins with the feast -- we celebrate the Wise Men. When the Wise Men visited Jesus, they had a revelation that he was the son of God, that he was the King. God revealed to them that his son had come into the world.

Why do Episcopalians focus on Epiphany more than some other denominations?

They are gradually picking it back up, especially churches like the Lutheran church and the Methodist church. They are trying to regain that ancient sense of worship, of a cycle of worship.

How does your church recognize Epiphany?

"We are having an Epiphany bonfire this Sunday night. We'll go out to the Anne Springs Close Greenway and have a Communion service, a hot dog roast, and then we will burn our Christmas trees. One of the symbols of Epiphany is light. You light a flame, and suddenly you can see everything. That's who Christ is. Christ is the light who reveals truth, even in darkness.

Know someone -- a newsmaker, neighbor or maybe just someone you've heard about -- who would make an interesting subject for a Two-Minute Tuesday? Call or e-mail City Editor Jennifer Becknell at 803-329-4077 or e-mail jbecknell@heraldonline.com.