I was so pleased with the collages the children made for the Epiphany, even if we didn't make them prior to nor even ON the Epiphany since we had a full weekend.  Sometimes they are actually in a better frame of mind after we have discussed and we carry on the season as long as possible anyway.  Bottom line?   Whenever you create a beautiful thing is the right time.  (pssst – you can still do this. : ))

We discussed the traditional names of the Magi – Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar and the spiritual significance of the gifts they brought.  Gold was a fitting gift for a King.  Frankincense was connected to priestly ritual and indicated diety.  Myrrh was used for annointing and foreshadowed His redemptive death.  We talked about gifts we can present to God today.  He has no need for material things but we can offer our good attitudes, our charity to others, our peaceful resignation to His will – all every bit as precious.

Then we gathered old scrapbooking paper and created these collages based on this tutorial.  There is no pattern given so we just got the gist of it and made makeshift templates from spice lids and so on. 

note: A wonderful tradition, which was common in the part of Germany where we lived, is the chalking of the doors with the new year's number and the intials of the Magi.  If you've never heard of it this article explains.