The Light on Epiphany

It was the sixth of January, and snow lay like a soft blanket over the village. In a little red cottage, in the middle of the quiet village, lived Anna and her little brother Kasper together with their parents. This day was special, for it was Epiphany, and they were about to take part in an old family tradition that always filled the house with light, warmth, and stories.

Anna looked out the window while the last bits of the Christmas star on the tree blinked faintly.

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"Mom, why do we celebrate Epiphany?" Kasper asked with wide, curious eyes.

Mom smiled and sat down beside them. "This is the day we remember the three wise men who followed the star to find the baby Jesus. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and that's why we light candles to remember their journey and bring light into our own home."

Grandpa put down his newspaper, stood up, and brought out a large candlestick with room for three candles. "And you know what?" he said with a twinkle in his eye. "Tonight we're going out to find 'the light of the holy kings.' It's an old tradition. Whoever finds the light gets a wish for the new year."

Anna and Kasper's eyes went wide. "Is that true?" Anna whispered.

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"Of course! But you'll have to be good at searching," said Grandpa slyly.

The hunt for the light

After dinner, the family put on warm winter clothes and lit lanterns to light the way. It was a tradition for the whole family to walk to the great hill behind the church on this evening. The little lights in the lanterns flickered like stars as they walked through the snow-heavy forest.

Anna held Kasper's hand. "Do you think we'll find the light, Kasper?" she asked.

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"Yes, we just have to follow the stars, like the wise men did," he answered firmly.

Soon they reached the top of the hill. The village lay below them like a glittering blanket of light, and the stars shone bright above them. In the middle of the clearing stood a small lantern, placed there by someone who knew the old tradition.

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"There's the light!" Kasper shouted and ran toward the lantern.

As they got closer, they saw that the lantern was decorated with pinecones, spruce branches, and a small star shining brightly. Anna picked it up carefully and looked at Grandpa.

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"We found it! What happens now?" she asked eagerly.

Grandpa smiled warmly. "Now it's your turn to carry it. Hold it high on the way home, so anyone still out in the dark can see it."

A wish for the new year

The family gathered around the lantern, and Dad lit the three candles in the candlestick Grandpa had carried with him. Anna and Kasper watched the flame dance in the winter darkness.

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"What do you wish for, Kasper?" Anna asked.

Kasper thought about it. "That we can always be together and have it as good as we do today."

Anna smiled. She knew she wished for exactly the same thing. Grandpa set the candlestick down in the snow, and together they stood quietly as the stars twinkled above them.

When they got back to the house, they placed the candlestick in the window, so the light could shine out into the night.

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"Now anyone walking home in the dark can find their way," said Grandpa.

Anna and Kasper went to bed with warm hearts. From their beds they could still see the star that had guided their way, and the three small flames burning in the window.

Next time you celebrate Epiphany, remember: the most valuable wishes are the ones you share with others.

An original story inspired by Norwegian traditions around Epiphany.