Today, January 6th, is Epiphany day (or Three Kings Day in Spain)! Traditionally, Three Kings Day is celebrated 12 days after Christmas, and marks the end of the Christmas for many families. It is a christian feast day which celebrates the revelation God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ. Click Here for an example of music that is commonly associated with the holiday! On the evening before Three Kings, traditionally there were prayers, blessed dried herbs would be burnt and their aromatic smell would fill the house. Doorways would be sprinkled with holy water and the master of the house would write with chalk C + M + B and the year above the house and barn door and say: "Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar, behütet uns auch für dieses Jahr, vor Feuer und vor Wassergefahr." ("CMB, protect us again this year from the dangers of fire and water.") C + M + B has traditionally been translated with Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, however, according to the Church it stands for "Christus Mansionem Benedictat" (Christ bless this home). If you would like to learn more about the holiday check out 123holiday.net. Epiphany is celebrated in a variety of ways depending on its location, but in both Spain and France it is a widely celebrated holiday that everyone takes part in!
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