When we think of the twelve days of Christmas, we typically think between December 13th and the 25th. But believe it or not, this is a primarily commercial and modernized adaptation of the twelve days. As far as the church calendar is concerned, the twelve days of Christmas begin on Christmas and end on January 6th, which is Three Kings Day.
Golds, Frankincense, and Myrrh
The Origins of Three Kings Day
According to legends within the Christian religion, the three kings were Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. They travelled to Bethlehem by following the bright star which led them to baby Jesus. They began their journey on Christmas, the day Jesus was said to be born, and would have arrived in Bethlehem around January 6th.
You may be familiar with the three gifts given to baby Jesus by the three kings in the story; gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These are popular symbols of the holiday, which is celebrated by various countries and cultures—even some here in the US. For this reason, it’s also referred to as the Epiphany.
Celebrations
Celebrations on Three Kings Day include the Feast of the Epiphany, and it is a widely-celebrated holiday in many Hispanic countries such as Spain and many Latin American countries. It’s also still largely celebrated in Austria and Bavaria. In these countries, families will hang the letters “C” “M” and “B” above their doors. Some say it stands for the three names of the three kings, although the church says it stands for “Christus Mansionem Benedictat,” which means ‘Christ bless this home’.
So remember, when you see malls and other stores celebrating the twelve days of Christmas, it doesn’t truly begin until Christmas, and according to legend, ends on Three Kings Day.
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