The Christian holiday of Three Kings Day celebrates the biblical account of three kings who followed the star in Bethlehem to bring gifts to the child Jesus.  This festivity marks the twelfth day of Christmas, January 6.  Communities around the world embrace the spirit of Three Kings Day with gift-giving, traditional foods, and parades, showcasing diverse and unique cultures.

The origins of Three Kings Day, or Epiphany, trace back to a biblical account in the Gospel of Matthew.  According to this passage, the Magi, named Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar, followed a star in the sky that brought them to Bethlehem.  The Star of Bethlehem led the Three Kings to the site of the Messiah’s birth, where the Magi presented the baby Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  The celebration of Three Kings Day links back to early Christian traditions in the Eastern part of the Roman Empire.  Over time, the observance of Epiphany spread to the Western Church as well.  The name “Epiphany” originates from the Greek word epiphaneia, which means “manifestation” or “appearance,” emphasizing the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God to the Gentiles, represented by the visit of the Magi, according to nationaltoday.com.

In various Hispanic countries, such as Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Cuba, children celebrate Día de los Reyes by leaving empty boxes underneath their beds, believing that the Three Kings will leave gifts for them in the night.  Additionally, in France families have a tradition where they purchase or bake “la galette des rois,” a cake with a hidden coin or a toy shaped like baby Jesus inside for someone to find in their slice, according to nationalgeographic.com.  The fortunate person to find the trinket receives the title of “king” of the day.

In Spain, towns hold annual parades to mark the occasion, often featuring floats depicting effigies of the Three Wise Men.  In addition to parades, it is common for Spanish people to host large feasts and parties, serving “Roscón de Reyes,” a cake with dried fruit and nuts on it, resembling the jeweled crowns worn by the Three Kings, according to devourtours.com.

Sra. Montserrat García, Upper School World Language Teacher and Network Exchange Coordinator, grew up in Huelva, Spain, and she has been honoring the Epiphany her entire life.  She recalled the annual anticipation for the morning of January 6, when children would wake up to find gifts from the arrival of the Three Kings.  For Sra. García, the traditions of the Epiphany continue to unite her with her community and family in Spain.  She spoke about how her family maintains the celebration.

“The holiday connects me to my culture because when I was little, that was always the day that we were really looking forward to,” Sra. García said.  “When my kids were born and grew up, we would try to spend as much time as we could in Spain [after Christmas] so that we could be there for Three Kings.  Now that I don’t get to stay in Spain for Three Kings, I do really miss it.  I like to see my family celebrating, connect with them, and see what the Three Kings have left for my little nephew.  It is always a beautiful tradition.”

Similar to Orthodox Christmas, Three Kings Day honors the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus, representing the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God to the Gentiles, especially in Western Christian denominations, such as Roman Catholicism and some Protestant branches.  In contrast, Eastern Christianity, particularly the Eastern Orthodox Church, often emphasizes Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River, and variations in the liturgical calendar may affect the celebration’s date.  The fundamental idea of Epiphany, or Jesus’ revelation to the world, remains unchanged, but the particular traditions, ceremonies, and focus on various facets of the occasion highlight the incredible diversity present in Christian traditions, according to britannica.com.

While both celebrations are in early January, their theological emphasis and the events they commemorate differ.  Orthodox Christmas centers on the Nativity of Jesus, whereas Three Kings Day emphasizes the revelation of Jesus to the Magi.  Although some Christian traditions may observe both occasions, they typically recognize them separately, each with its own distinct rituals and significance.  Sra. García reflected on the significance of the feast of the Epiphany.

“The Three Kings have a message of generosity and a message of celebration because the holiday comes from the tradition of bringing the three gifts of oro, incienso y mirra [gold, frankincense, and myrrh] to the Messiah,” Sra. García said.  “The message is rewarding and magical, as the three kings are following the star and arrive to the manger.”

Featured Image by Sofia Latrille ’25