PARISBarrs: We had an Epiphany!

We enjoyed our first French service of this season. Baptiste gave a message and the songs of praise were beautifully sung in French. Not by us, though, as we had to get the speech correct with the right rhythm, rhyme and inflection. A bunch of mumbling was going on and occasionally getting it right.
Baptiste and Franck are avid cyclists and I brought over 2 Pedal and Ponder books with devotionals. Franck was surprised that I remembered one of his loves.
Emilie and Baptiste invited us over for lunch with sweet, precious Lina - 7 months old. Today, they told us, is the Day of Epiphany. I asked what that meant. The following excerpt can be found at www.kwintessential.co.uk/articles/france/epiphany-in-France/2424:
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The celebration of Epiphany is celebrated in many countries across Europe and around the world; however, France has their own unique traditions in the celebration of Epiphany. In France, Epiphany is also referred to as La Fete des Rois as a tribute to the Three Kings the holiday celebrates Since we are living in the city of some great Kings I thought it was also fitting. Epiphany is a Christian holiday and is traditionally a day of feasting. The day celebrates the revelation of God in the human form of Jesus Christ.
The day also celebrates the journey of the Three Kings, Melchior, Gaspard and Balthazar, to Bethlehem. The Three Kings made this journey by following a bright star which illuminated their path. Epiphany has been celebrated through much of the world since the 4th century. The day that the event is commemorated is traditionally January 6th in France, although parts of the country choose to celebrate Epiphany on the first Sunday following January 1st.
TraditionsThe celebration of Epiphany also includes many traditions. In France one of the most popular ways to celebrate the day is through food. The French prepare special cakes on or near the day of celebration aptly known as King cakes. The special cakes are baked across the country; however, different regions have unique variants on the recipe. In Northern France the cakes are traditionally made of a fine, flaky pastry that is filled with an almond cream paste. In the South of France by contrast the almond paste is replaced with a fruit paste. The cakes are also available as plain puff pastry. The Kings cakes are more than just delicious snacks as they also incorporate their own unique traditions.
When preparing a batch of King Cakes it is traditional to include one bean or ceramic figure in the batter. This inclusion means that the bean or figure will be hidden in one of the pastries. Later on, when the cakes are consumed in celebration of Epiphany whoever finds the bean or figure in their cake is named King or Queen for the day and is rewarded with a paper hat.
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