We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage. (Matthew 2:2)

Epiphany Sunday is observed by most Christian denominations as a day in which Jesus is revealed to the world when the Magi arrive. It was practiced before Christmas was formally observed by the church.

In the early days, Christians set aside one day a week as the Lord’s Day which became Sunday. By the second century, Lent, Easter and the Pentecost were established as well. And by the third century, Epiphany was observed to celebrate Jesus’ birth, his baptism, the arrival of the Magi, and the miracle at Cana. Once Advent and Christmas began to be formally celebrated in the fourth century, Advent was the preparation for the birth, Christmas celebrated as the savior’s birth, and Epiphany was the day in which he was manifested to the world with arrival of the Magi and also his baptism and first miracle in Cana. Catholic Eastern Rite and Eastern Orthodox celebrate the day as when Jesus’ divinity was revealed at his baptism on the River Jordan (called Theophany). Not all Protestant denominations follow this observance such as the Anabaptists (Amish, Mennonite and others). In the Catholic church, the Sunday after Epiphany is celebrated as the Baptism of Jesus and his first miracle.

The traditional date is January 6 and is twelve days after the birth of Jesus. It also marked the end of the Christmas season with this important holiday. The day before was usually the day to take down Christmas decorations and the day itself had its own traditions and feasts. Marking your front door by writing the names of the wise men with chalk became popular. Special cakes and processions took place as well such as Dia de los Reyes. Children would often get gifts and candy. In Italy, La Befana, the Christmas Witch, delivers gifts during the night for children. France has a special cake, Galette des Rois, with the figure of baby Jesus inside it to be found by a lucky person. And many Spanish speaking countries (and localities) have Los Reyes Magos festivities and gifts for kids as well. So, the day is a festive one for many people. And a nice way to wind down the Christmas season. These traditions and celebrations continue to this day.

However, in the United States and several European countries, the liturgical observation is no longer on January 6. One of the reforms of the Second Vatican Council allowed for the episcopal conference in each nation to request to move certain holy days of obligation to the nearest Sunday. Since it was hard to for people to attend mass during the week due to work, school, or travel, moving it to the nearest Sunday between January 2-8 seemed the best way to make sure people attended the mass. It is important to note that this was a pastoral not liturgical change. Both the historical and universal date remains unchanged.

Sources

“The History of the Epiphany: Here’s What You Need to Know – EWTN Great Britain.” https://ewtn.co.uk/article-the-history-of-the-epiphany-heres-what-you-need-to-know/.

“Why The United States Celebrates Epiphany on Sunday Instead of January 6 – Catholic Online News.” Last modified January 2, 2026. https://catholiconline.news/faith/why-the-united-states-celebrates-epiphany-on-sunday-instead-of-january-6/.

“8 Wonderful International Ways to Celebrate the Epiphany.” The Writings of Cora Evans. https://www.coraevans.com/blog/article/8-wonderful-international-ways-to-celebrate-the-epiphany.

Correale, Marta. “La Befana: All You Need to Know About Italy’s Most Beloved Witch (With Coloring Sheet for Kids) | Mama.” Mama Loves Italy, December 16, 2024. Accessed January 4, 2026. https://mamalovesitaly.com/la-befana-italy-christmas-witch/.

Manzanares, Mariana. “7 Curious Epiphany and Three Kings’ Day Traditions Around the World – Catholic Mass Times.” Horarios de Misa, December 30, 2025. https://catholicmasstimes.com/7-curious-epiphany-and-three-kings-day-traditions-around-the-world/.

Roos, Dave. “What Is the Christian Holiday of Epiphany?” HISTORY. Last modified December 19, 2025. https://www.history.com/articles/epiphany-three-kings-day.

Suggested Reading

dePaola, Tomie. The Story of the Three Wise Kings. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2020.

Longenecker, Dwight, Mystery of the Magi: The Quest to Identify the Three Wise Men, Hardcover. (Regenery, 2021).

Harrington, Paul. Epiphany: The Untold Epic Journey of the Magi. Booksurge Publishing, 2009.

Pope Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives (National Geographic Books, 2012).

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