THREE KINGS DAY

Three Kings Day, also known as the Epiphany of Jesus, is a Christian holiday included in the liturgical calendar that is celebrated annually on January 6. It had its beginnings between the third century and the fourth century of our era, also at the dawn of Christianity. The adoration by the Magi of the newborn Baby Jesus is commemorated, where they gave him three gifts: frankincense, myrrh and gold. As for the Epiphany, it means the revelation of Jesus before the pagan world, to the non-Jews, represented in the Magi.

The Visit of the Magi

After the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem of Judah, three Wise Men arrived from the Far East, guided by a star in the sky: Melchor, Gaspar and Baltazar (the word magician comes from the Persian language maguusha which means Wise Priest , so who are also known as the Wise Men of the East). But on their way through the city of Jerusalem, they were presented to King Herod I, who asked them to reveal to him the place where the child was found, in order to also visit him and bring him gifts. The Magi continued on their way to Bethlehem and found Jesus in a manger. There they worshiped him as the king of kings and gave him gifts. These were frankincense, myrrh, and gold.

But the night before returning to the East, the Magi had a dream in which they were warned of Herod's intentions to assassinate Jesus, so the next day, not without first warning Joseph and Mary, they took another road to house without passing through Jerusalem. This unleashed the fury of Herod who ordered the murder of all the minor children of Bethlehem, which is known as the Slaughter of the Holy Innocents .

Three Kings Day Celebration in the World

For the Christian world, this day means the end of the Christmas season, which is why in several countries it is a holiday and it is usually moved to the weekend closest to January 6.
It is traditional in some regions to perform a representation that recalls the visit of the Magi to Jesus. One of them is the Crib, where figures that personify the Holy Family, the Magi, the shepherds, the animals and all the elements that surrounded the birth of Jesus are used.
Just as in the Catholic world, the Child God with his birth brings gifts to children, it is tradition that the Three Wise Men also bring gifts with their arrival. Children usually send them letters with their favorite gifts. Another tradition is to place their shoes near the manger to receive the gifts the next day.
Families usually get together and have a dinner in honor of the holiday.
This day all the Christmas decorations and the lights exposed during the holiday season are kept, as a symbol of the end of Christmas.

THREE KINGS DAY

The Visit of the Magi

Three Kings Day Celebration in the World

Días Festivos en el Mundo