Today is Three Kings Day! Three Kings Day (or The Epiphany) is a
Christian holiday that commemorates the biblical story of the three
kings—Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar. The three kings (also known as
the Wise Men or Magi) followed the bright star of Bethlehem to bring
gifts to the Christ child.
In Latin America, children dress up in king costumes and go door to
door in their neighborhoods singing carols in the days leading up to
Three Kings Day. In Argentina, sweet wine, fruit, and milk are left
outside for the three kings and their camels to enjoy. In France, people
eat Galette des Rois, or "king cake," which has a trinket or bean
hidden inside of it. The person who receives the piece of cake with the
trinket becomes the "king" for the day!
Three Kings Day always falls at the end of Christmastide—also known
as the Twelve Days of Christmas! Traditionally, this is the day when all
Christmas trees and decorations are taken down. Happy Three Kings Day!
Strange
