Have you ever wondered why the Christmas carol highlights on the 12 days of Christmas?
The carol celebrates the 12 days between Christmas and the end of the Christmas season, also known as Three Kings Day or the Epiphany.
Here’s what you should know about the holiday.
When is Three Kings Day, often known as Epiphany?
Three Kings Day is January 6. However, the celebration varies by Christian religion. The Catholic Church will celebrate it on the first Sunday of the new year, or January 4. The Orthodox Epiphany, which follows the Julian calendar, is celebrated on January 19.
Why do we celebrate Three Kings’ Day?
Three Kings Day celebrates the arrival of the Magi, also known as the Three Wise Men, to Bethlehem to worship the infant Jesus and give him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. It also celebrates Jesus’ revelation to the world.
How is Three Kings Day celebrated?
Three Kings Day can be celebrated in a variety of ways, although most are influenced by religion and the location.
In the United States, most people celebrate by going to church on the Sunday closest to January 6. Some families celebrate big feasts, spend time together, or participate in traditions from foreign nations.
In some European nations, including as Slovakia and the Czech Republic, children dress up as the three kings and go to every house singing about Jesus’ birth and paying tribute to the “king of kings.” They are frequently rewarded with cookies and praise. On Epiphany Eve, many children in Spain fill their shoes with straw or grain to feed the three kings’ horses and leave them on balconies or at the main door. According to TimeandDate.com, they receive presents and sweets instead of the donation the following day.
When will Mardi Gras 2026 begin?
Three Kings Day also marks the beginning of the Mardi Gras season. The season begins on Three Kings Day and runs until Fat Tuesday, February 17. The first Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans begin on January 6.