Everyone knows that you take your Christmas tree and decorations down on Twelfth Night, which marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas.
But there is some confusion over whether it falls on the eve of Epiphany on January 5 or the night of Epiphany itself on January 6.
The Church of England says Twelfth Night falls on January 5 because its count the 12 days of Christmas from December 5. But some Christians start counting on December 26.
What is Epiphany 2018?
The word ‘Epiphany’ originates from Greek and means manifestation of the divine. It can also refer to moment of revelation.
According to Western Christianity, the festival of Epiphany celebrates the three kings, also known as Magi, visiting the baby Jesus after following the star to Bethlehem.
The Oxford English Dictionary says Epiphany represents “the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi” in the Bible.
The gospel of Matthew in the bible describes how the kings followed the star and brought Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate the Epiphany on January 19 and believe that it commemorates the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the River Jordan.
This is because their Christmas Eve falls on January 6. Orthodox Christians believe water is has healing powers for the day and take ice baths as part of the celebration.
In many parts of Eastern Europe, Christians will dive into freezing water to follow a cross to mark the Epiphany.
The Epiphany is marked in different ways depending on which part of the world that you come from.
For example, it is known as Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings’ Day) in the Spanish-speaking world. In Mexico, Christians taste what is known as Rosca de Reyes, or the Kings’ bread.
It might be hard to imagine now, but until the 19th century, the Epiphany was seen as more important than Christmas Day.
Many Protestant churches celebrate a whole season of Epiphany, from January 6 until the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent.
Pope Francis holds an annual Holy Mass to mark the Epiphany at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
READ MORE: WHAT DOES EPIPHANY MEAN?