Senate Resolution No. 1462

BY: Senator PARKER

CELEBRATING the Feast of Epiphany, Three Kings'
Day, on January 6, 2022

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to celebrate the
Feast of Epiphany, Three Kings' Day, on January 6, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Epiphany, or the Feast of Epiphany, most commonly known as
Three Kings' Day, happens twelve days after Christmas, on January 6th;
it is a Catholic observance and a day for commemorating the visit the
Three Wise Men paid to Baby Jesus; and

WHEREAS, The day of Epiphany is a Feast Day, and it marks the
beginning of the Epiphanytide, a catholic season that lasts from this
day until Ash Wednesday; it is also the end of the 12 Days of Christmas,
a period which begins on Christmas Day and ends on the Epiphany; the
days symbolize Jesus Christ's birth and the manifestation of his
divinity, respectively; and

WHEREAS, The word Epiphany comes from the Greek and means
manifestation; in religious terms, a manifestation is the appearance of
an invisible being in their visible form; and

WHEREAS, On the day of Epiphany, people celebrate not only the visit
of the Three Kings but also the time when Jesus was baptized and began
spreading and teaching the Word about his father, God; these are the two
times when Catholics believe Christ's importance and divinity were
manifested; and

WHEREAS, Originating in the 2nd century, Epiphany is one of the
oldest known Christian celebrations; its history is written in the Bible
in the book of Matthew, where he writes about the Wise Men who followed
a star in the East for twelve days in the desert to Bethlehem, to visit
baby Jesus who they believed to be the King of Jews; and

WHEREAS, The day of Epiphany was usually when Eastern Churches would
celebrate Jesus's birthday, however, this was changed in the 4th century
AD to December 25th, and Epiphany was set to January 6th, as they still
are today; and

WHEREAS, As a holiday that is celebrated around the World, there are
quite a few different Epiphany traditions; in America, most people stick
to celebrating Epiphany by attending church service, where the sermon is
focused on Jesus's baptism and the revelation of his holiness; and

WHEREAS, In some countries, such as Spain and Italy, January 6th is
the day when children receive their Christmas gifts, as it was the day
when Jesus received his gifts; many countries also have their version of
the traditional King Cake; and

WHEREAS, Finally, January 6th is commonly the day when people take
down their Christmas trees, as it marks the official end of the Holidays
season; and

WHEREAS, It is fitting and proper to give thanks to God by observing
the Feast of Epiphany in New York State on January 6, 2022, when all may
acknowledge our blessings and express gratitude for them, while
recognizing the need for strengthening religious and moral values in our
State and nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the Feast of Epiphany, Three Kings' Day, on January 6, 2022.