Epiphany

This day is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ. In Western Christianity it commemorates the visit of the Magi to Jesus, and his physical manifestation to the Gentiles. It is sometimes called Three Kings’ Day, and in some denominations initiates the liturgical season of Epiphanytide. The night before Epiphany is known as Twelfth Night, while the Monday after is called Plough Monday.

Customs for the day include singing, chalking the door, having one’s house blessed, eating Three Kings Cake, winter swimming and Church services. It is customary for Christians to remove their decoration on Twelfth Night, but some Christians have this custom for Candlemas on 2nd February. Anyone who doesn’t take it down on Twelfth Night must leave them up to Candlemas as it is otherwise considered inauspicious.