What is 3 Kings day in Germany?

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — Three Kings' Day, otherwise known as Dreikoenigstag or Epiphany Day, is observed on Jan. 6 annually. This holiday marks both the end of Christmas and the start of the new year.

Why do Germans celebrate Three Kings Day?

Many nations celebrate the full 12 days of Christmas, through to the feast day of Epiphany, Three Kings Day, on January 6th. In Germany the twelfth day of Christmas is celebrated as Three King's Day (Dreikönigstag) and commemorates the arrival of the Magi in Bethlehem to present their gifts to the infant Jesus.

What do Germans eat on 3 Kings day?

King cakes & Beer

Epiphany also comes with its own traditions when it comes to food in Germany. In the federal republic, as in many other parts of Europe, you might see special king cakes (Königskuchen) being baked for the holiday.

What happens on the 6th of January in Germany?

Three Kings Day | January, 6

Also known as the Epiphany, Three Kings Day (Heilige Drei Könige) is the day the German Christmas tree is taken down and child carol singers dressed as kings collect money for charity. It is a public holiday in not all but a few states; namely, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bavaria, and Sachsen.

What is the purpose of 3 Kings day?

At the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas comes a day called the Epiphany, or Three Kings Day. This holiday is celebrated as the day the three wise men first saw baby Jesus and brought him gifts. On this day in Spain, many children get their Christmas presents.

What is Three Kings Day?

What to eat on 3 Kings day?

What do poorly behaved kids receive on Three Kings Day?

La Befana is said to have sheltered the magi on their way to Bethlehem, and then joined them in their search for the baby Jesus. La Befana brings gifts to well-behaved children and coal to the naughty ones, filling stockings placed by the fireplace.

What do Germans do on Epiphany?

Because Epiphany marks the end of the Christmas season in Germany, another common activity on this day is to take down all of the Christmas trees and other holiday decorations. Sometimes, an entire community will get together and burn their Christmas trees as a festive group event.

Why does Christmas end on January 6th?

According to Christian tradition, January 6 marks the day the three kings actually arrived in Bethlehem after Jesus was born, so this day signals the official end of the Christmas celebrations.

What is chalking the door in Germany?

A unique and centuries-old custom known as “chalking the door” is especially common in Germany. On the Feast of the Epiphany, Catholic children to dress up as the three kings and go from door to door singing Christmas carols, collecting donations for charity, and offering a blessing for each home.

What is often served in German for the main Christmas meal?

Treat guests to a traditional German Christmas dinner with classic dishes like roasted goose legs, braised red cabbage. and dumplings, and don't forget the mulled wine and platter of gorgeous, festive cookies.

What are the three main meals in Germany?

What is one of the most popular Three Kings Day traditions?

The Tradition of Three Kings Day

Each January 5th, kids join their parents to cut fresh grass and set it in a shoebox under their beds, under the Christmas tree (just like the cookies for Santa Claus), or in a place that is not easy to miss.

Are shops open on Epiphany Germany?

Another important holiday is January 6, the Feast of the Three Kings (Epiphany). It is an official holiday in some federal states, such as Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Saxony-Anhalt, where shops will also be closed.

Do Christians celebrate 3 Kings day?

Some Western Christian churches know the feast day as Three Kings Day. It recalls the visit of three Magi, or wise men, to the infant Jesus, and their sense of wonder at the encounter.

Is Three Kings Day more important than Christmas?

It is called El Dia de los Reyes in Spanish. And in many Latin American countries, Three Kings Day is even a bigger holiday than Christmas. There are presents and singing and dancing and music.

When was Jesus actually born?

The date of the birth of Jesus is not stated in the gospels or in any historical sources and the evidence is too incomplete to allow for consistent dating. However, most biblical scholars and ancient historians believe that his birth date is around 4 to 6 BC.

Why did England ban Christmas for 13 years?

They saw Christmas as a wasteful festival that threatened Christian beliefs and encouraged immoral activities, to (in Stubbs' words) the 'great dishonour of God'. The discontent felt within the Puritan community towards festivals led to the enactment of forceful legislation even before Cromwell's protectorate.

When should Catholics take down their Christmas tree?

According to Catholic religion, you should hold off taking down your Christmas tree until January 7.

What is the weird Christmas tradition in Germany?

Krampus Night (Krampus Nacht)

According to tradition, Krampus Nacht occurs the night before the celebration of the Feast of St. Nicholas – a night when people dress up as the devil Krampus and walk through the streets. Krampus is a horned figure who, during the festive season, scares children who have misbehaved.

What do German families do on Christmas Eve?

Some families put up and decorate the Christmas tree together on “Heiligabend”, while other families tend to do this a few days before. The Christmas tree (“Tannenbaum”) is a key part of this evening. This is because exchanging gifts by the Christmas tree is usually the highlight of Christmas Eve.

How do Germans worship on Christmas?

Christmas masses/services often last around one hour. Families with children go to a children's mass which is usually shorter and dramatised with a Krippenspiel (nativity play). The customs held upon returning from church leading to the gift-giving vary across the German-speaking countries.

Why do kids leave shoes at the door for the Kings?

Typically, children give and receive gifts on Three Kings Day. In some parts of the world (primarily in Spain), children also leave their shoes by the door so the three kings will come in the night and fill their shoes with small gifts—just like on Saint Nicholas Day!

What do children put next to the door on Three Kings Day?

Children put wish lists inside old shoes and leave them out for the wise men to fill with gifts. Some children send their letter to the three kings by tying it to a balloon and releasing it into the air. Another common tradition is leaving out grass and water for their camels.

What do children leave outside their bedrooms on Three Kings Day?

On the Night of Kings (January 5^th), children place their shoes outside their bedrooms so that the Three Kings will leave presents in them. Some may also leave a treat for the Kings, and grass and water for the camels.