I was fortunate enough two years ago to experience the live nativity scenes presented by the townspeople of Licodia Eubea on January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany. Pictured here, the Three Wise Men (Magi, aka The Three Kings) present their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the “newborn king,” the baby Jesus. They arrived on what we now call the 12th day of Christmas.

Legend is that it took 12 days for the Magi to reach the holy family, and when they arrived, “the Epiphany” (celebrated annually on January 6) is the idea that the Three Wise Men recognized the newborn child as the son of God.