Epiphany, Theophany, King's Day and Twelfth Night
by Michelle Car-Crowe
Today, January 6th is the celebration of Epiphany (Western Christianity) AKA Theophany (Eastern Christianity).
Ephiphany and its related observances are celebrated by Christians as the day the Christ Child was presented to the Magi (also known as the Three Kings or Three Wise Men) who gave Jesus the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
This holiday is also known as the Feast of the Magi or Twelfth Night. It is also where “The Twelve Days of Christmas” carol originated, with day one being Christmas and day 12 being Epiphany. In many Latin American countries, Christmas is a time of going to Mass or church together, while gifts are exchanged on Twelfth Night.
Today also marks the beginning of the Carnival period, which runs from Epiphany until Shrove Tuesday (Roman Catholicism). I hope you learned something today about Epiphany, Theophany, King's Day and Twelfth Night.
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