The day of the Epiphany has a long history and is an important part of the Christian tradition. The day has been celebrated for over a thousand years and is one of the oldest Christian holidays.
Epiphany 6/1 – background
Pentecost is one of the oldest Christian holidays and has been celebrated since the fourth century. Originally it was a day to celebrate the birth of Jesus, but over time the focus has shifted to commemorating the visit of the three wise men instead. According to the Bible, the three men followed a star that led them to the baby Jesus, and they gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
In Sweden, Pentecost has been a public holiday since the Middle Ages. Traditionally, the day has marked the end of the Christmas holiday and it is common to take down the Christmas decorations and throw out the tree.
How is the Epiphany celebrated on January 6?
Epiphany is celebrated in different ways around the world. In Sweden, it is common to go to church and listen to a service that tells about the visit of the three wise men. In some parts of the country it is also a tradition to go outside and light fires, a tradition that goes back to the Middle Ages.
In other countries, such as Spain and Italy, the Epiphany is a big holiday where the children receive gifts from the three wise men, in the same way that Swedish children receive Christmas presents from Santa. In these countries, it is also common to have large parades and parties to celebrate the day.
Regardless of how you choose to celebrate Pentecost, it is a day that marks the end of the Christmas holiday and the beginning of the new year.