Sculpture decorating a sarcophagus of the III century, now in the Vatican Museums, Rome. It is the oldest representation of the Magi, bringing their gifts to the Child Jesus. The Feast of Epiphany (which means “manifestations”) is one of the main festivities of Eastern Christianity and it seems to have its origin in the world of Greek language. In the IV century it was celebrated as the feast of the Nativity of Christ, then, when Christmas was fixed on December 25, it became the feast remembering Jesus’ baptism. However, Armenian Christianity still celebrates on January 6 the day of Jesus’ birth. In the Eastern world the feast assumed a particularly important allure: in Alexandria just on this day the Patriarch announced officially the date of celebration of Easter, and the Epiphany feast was regarded as specifically favorable for baptisms.
Subsequently, above all in Western Christianity, the tradition of the visit of the Magi to Jesus was added. They were kings and wise men who brought gifts and recognized his role as Savior of Humankind. The tale of the visit of the Magi, led by a star, became during the Middle Ages the draft for several mystery plays, while the act of offering gifts originated, in successive ages, the tradition of distributing gifts to children, which in many countries is attributed to the character of the Befana (a corruption of the name Epiphany), probable personification of the old year, which is going to be substituted by the new year just inaugurated. In German countries, this figure is associated to those of ancient beings of the Germanic religion, like Perchta or Helda, personifications of the winter season. Such a connection is further reinforced by some customs remained even in the present day, like the tradition of lighting bonfires on the day of Epiphany, practiced in Veneto and Friuli.

[Image: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Early_Christian_Magi.JPG]