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Holidays and Observances - What Is Twelfth Night?

What is Twelfth Night?

The Twelfth Night is the twelfth night after Christmas, or January 6, which marks the end of the Christmas season. On this date, some Christians celebrate the Epiphany, or the arrival of the Three Kings (magi or wisemen) to worship the infant savior, Jesus of Nazareth (founder of Christianity; also called the Christ). (Epiphany comes from the Greek word epiphanein, which means a "showing or revelation"). The Three Kings are thought to be a symbol—not a historical reality—that Jesus was the Messiah who had come to all people, not just the Jews. In Europe, Twelfth Night is celebrated with special feasts and entertainment, while in Mexico and other Latin American communities Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day) is a time to give gifts.

Further Information: Dues, Greg. Catholic Customs and Traditions: A Popular Guide. Mystic, Conn.: Twenty-Third Publications, 1989, pp. 80-82;...

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