Twelfth Night & Epiphany: The Last Feast of Christmas

“We have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” – Matthew 2:2

As Christmas draws to a close, the Church invites us into one of her most ancient and joyful celebrations: Twelfth Night and the Feast of the Epiphany. While many pack up their decorations and return to routine, the liturgical calendar reminds us that the Christmas season is not yet over, there is one more feast, and it is a glorious one!

The History of Twelfth Night

The celebration of Twelfth Night and Epiphany predates even the celebration of Christmas Day. Originating in 3rd-century Egypt, these twelve nights, known as Smoke Nights, were filled with prayer, incense, and the blessing of homes and farms. Beginning on Christmas Eve, Christians would burn incense each evening, moving through their homes and barns in a ritual of protection and blessing.

Today, only one of those nights remains: Twelfth Night, which begins at sundown on January 5 and ushers in the celebration of Epiphany on January 6.

The Story of the Wise Men

In Matthew 2, we read the story of the Magi, wise men from the East who followed a mysterious and brilliant star in search of the newborn King.

Their journey brought them first to Jerusalem and to the court of King Herod, where they inquired:

“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?”

Disturbed by the news, Herod gathered his scribes, who confirmed that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. Herod passed this information to the Magi, pretending he too wished to worship the child.

Eventually, the star led the wise men to a humble home, where they found Jesus with Mary and Joseph. Overcome with joy, they fell down in worship and offered Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, gifts fit for a King.

What Is an Epiphany?

An epiphany is a sudden revelation, a moment when something hidden is made known. For the Church, this moment is the great unveiling: the Christ Child is not only Savior of Israel but of the whole world. The Magi, Gentile outsiders, recognized and worshipped Him. In their visit, we see that God’s salvation through Jesus is meant for everyone.

Global Traditions

Although Twelfth Night and Epiphany are not as popular in the United States, this is a major feast in many cultures around the world, celebrated with processions, music, feasting, and acts of devotion.

• In Europe, costumed kings parade through the streets.

• In Spain and Latin America, Epiphany (Three Kings’ Day) is a time for gift-giving.

• In France, bakeries are filled with Galette des Rois, and in England, Twelfth Night Cakes are crowned with gold paper rings.

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Epiphany is the final great feast of the Christmas season, and in many ways, it is the most celebratory.

The Blessing of the Home

A cherished tradition for Epiphany is the blessing of the home. After the evening meal, the family follows the father or head of household room to room.

• One person carries burning incense to purify and bless each space.

• Another sprinkles holy water generously throughout the home.

• The rest of the family processes behind them, carrying a star on a stick and the Wise Men from the nativity scene, singing carols like “We Three Kings.”

  
  

At the end of the procession, the Magi are placed around the manger, adoring the newborn King.

Then, above the front door, the family writes in chalk:

20 + C + M + B + 26

These initials represent Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, the names of the Wise Men. They also stand for the Latin phrase:

“Christus mansionem benedicat” — Christ, bless this house.

Singing Door to Door

In Austria and Germany, children known as Star Singers go from house to house dressed as the Magi. They carry decorative boxes representing the three gifts, sing carols, and collect offerings for the poor. A star atop a stick leads their procession, just as the star led the Magi.

In England, the tradition of wassailing (caroling and sharing spiced ale or cider) was part of Twelfth Night festivities until the mid-20th century. A special drink called Lamb’s Wool, made with cider, roasted apples, and warm spices, was served as families wished one another good health for the coming year.

Epiphany Presents

In many cultures, it’s not Santa Claus, but the Three Kings who bring gifts.

• In the days leading up to Epiphany, children write letters to the Magi.

• On Epiphany Eve, they leave shoes filled with hay for the Wise Men’s animals.

• In the morning, they wake to find gifts and treats in their place.

  
  

Epiphany Food Traditions

Ukraine

• Families prepare a traditional meal of kutya (a sweet wheat berry soup), varenyky (dumplings), and borscht.

  
  

Poland

• In communist times, Epiphany was nearly erased, but now cities like Warsaw and Krakow celebrate with parades and a pastry called szczodraki.

• If the harvest was good, these pastries are filled and rich. If the harvest was poor, they are small and plain.

  
  

England

• A Twelfth Night Cake, often a fruitcake topped with a golden crown, is served.

  
  

France

• In the north: Galette des Rois, a puff pastry filled with frangipane or chocolate.

• In the south: brioche cakes with candied fruits.

  
  

Spain

• Families gather for a feast of tapas, roast lamb, and Rosca de Reyes, a sweet crown-shaped bread. Rosca de Reyes is a sweet bread shaped like a wreath, with candied fruit on top and a figurine of a baby Jesus baked inside. The person who finds the figurine is expected to host a party on Dia de la Candelaria or Candlemas which is celebrated on February 2nd.

  
  

Mexico

• Rosca de Reyes is eaten with atole (a warm drink made from cornmeal) or hot chocolate.

• A tiny figurine of baby Jesus is baked into the bread.

• Whoever finds it must host a Candlemas (Feb 2) celebration.

  
  

Ways to Celebrate at Home

• Read Matthew 2:1–12 as a family.

• Sing “We Three Kings” as you place your nativity wise men around the baby Jesus.

• Bless your home with chalk:Write 20 + C + M + B + 26 above your door to mark the new year and invoke Christ’s blessing.

• Bake a King Cake or Rosca de Reyes. Hide a dried bean or figurine inside.The person who finds it is crowned king or queen for the night and may have a special role at your Candlemas gathering.

• Let your children leave shoes by the door and fill them with small treats overnight.

  
  

  Arise, shine, for your light has come!

the recipe -

Rosca de Reyes Cake.pdf

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Rosca de Reyes (Wreath of the Kings) Cake

1/2 cup of warm water

1 envelope or 2 ¼ teaspoons of active yeast

4 cups all-purpose flour plus 2 or 3 tablespoons more for dusting

¾ cup of sugar

3 large eggs

3 egg yolks mixed with 4 tablespoons of milk

¼ teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons orange water or 1 1/2 tablespoons orange extract

1 ½ stick unsalted butter softened

Freshly grated orange zest from one orange

1 plastic baby doll or a dried bean

Sugared Oranges:

Thinly sliced oranges

1/2 cup sugar

Enough water to cover the orange slices

Glaze:

1 egg beaten for glazing the bread

1 tablespoon whole milk or water

White sugar to sprinkle on top of the bread

2 or 3 plastic baby dolls

To make the sugared oranges, thinly slice oranges and then cut them in half. Place in a saucepan with water and sugar and bring to a boil. Reduce to a low boil and cook for 30 minutes. Drain the orange slices on a cookie rack and allow to cool.

To make the bread, put your lukewarm water into a bowl, and sprinkle with yeast. Stir with a fork until yeast has dissolved, then let stand until foamy, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in ½ cup of the flour, and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let stand in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 25 minutes.

In the meantime, mix flour, eggs, egg yolks, sugar, orange extract, orange zest, salt, and butter in a large bowl. Mix until crumbly. Add yeast mixture to the bowl and mix. It will be very sticky but manageable, add flour if needed. Place on a lightly floured surface and start kneading until you have a smooth dough. It will take about 15-20 minutes to get these results or 7 minutes in a stand mixer. DO NOT add too much flour to your working area, the texture should be very soft, sort of wet but manageable. If you add more flour than needed your bread will be dry.

Once your dough is smooth and soft, place in a buttered bowl, and cover with buttered plastic wrap. The dough must be wet and elastic. Let dough stand in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 and ½ hours. If the dough doesn’t double in volume after this time let it rest longer.

After the first resting period. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead a few times, then shape it into a round cushion and make a hole in the middle to shape it into a large ring. Transfer to a greased-rimmed baking sheet, and loosely cover with buttered plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes or more until almost double in volume. Gather all your decorations and the egg wash. For the egg wash whisk the remaining egg with milk or water.

Preheat oven for at least 20 minutes before baking at 375 degrees, with rack in the lower third.

Brush the dough with the egg wash two times for a golden crust. Place the sugared orange slices around the ring, pressing them gently into the dough. Sprinkle with sugar and bake for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for 10 more minutes until bread is a nice golden brown color. Depending on your oven it will require more time.

Transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool. After the bread has cooled insert the plastic baby doll or bean from the bottom of the bread. Do not forget to let your guests know that there is a baby toy or bean inside the bread. The bread can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.