STATE COLLEGE — Star caroling, a tradition that is celebrated worldwide, received a warm welcome in State College despite the winter chill during downtown State College’s First Friday event Jan. 6.
Jan. 6 is the date the Christian church celebrates Epiphany. It marks the first day after the 12 days of Christmas and celebrates the arrival of the Magi in Bethlehem.
Following a candlelight fellowship meal with photos of Epiphany celebrations from around the world, 63 parishioners and friends from Grace Lutheran Church walked along College Avenue, Allen Street and Beaver Avenue following three costumed kings from the east portrayed by Declan Flanagan, Ethan Hardyk and Jack Hockenberry.
The procession stopped periodically to sing Epiphany carols, then returned to Grace Lutheran for refreshments, including steaming hot wassail and king cake. During many celebrations, a plastic figure of the baby Jesus is hidden in the king cake, and whoever gets the slice with Jesus in it is supposed to host the following year’s celebration. For safety, many places, including Grace Lutheran, now use a navy bean to represent Jesus.
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