Epiphany and the Magi

Names of the Magi

In the conventional version of the Christmas story, the wise men or magi:

·                        Gaspar,

·                        Melchior and

·                        Balthasar

started the gift-giving custom of Christmas by bringing gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ child on Epiphany, the day on which the infant was presented. The 3 magi have been described not only as wise men, but also as kings or Persian priests and astrologers.

Epiphany is the end of the Christmas season, 12 days after Christmas, which is, literally, the mass for Christ

Other Names for the Magi

The magi were given other names, as well, including Apellus, Amerus and Damasius, which were used in Peter Comestor's medieval Historia Scholastica (source: "A Lexicon of Christian Iconography," by Bruce M. Metzger; Church History, Vol. 45, No. 1 (Mar., 1976), pp. 5-15.).

Christ + Mass = Christmas

Christmas is often celebrated the evening before Christmas day, and Epiphany is often celebrated as the Twelfth Night. Gift-giving in some cultures extends throughout the 12 days of Christmas and in some places is limited to January 5 or 6. Similarly, for those who celebrate only Christmas, gifts are exchanged on either December 24, Christmas Eve, or December 25, Christmas Day. Many Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 because of the difference between the Gregorian and Julian calendars.

(By N.S. Gill, About.com Guide)