Three Kings Day - Epiphany - January 6 - Santons

Posted on January 06, 2012 | 0 Comments

Epiphany, the twelfth and final day of Christmas, the day of the Three Kings (the Wise Men or Magi - Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar) rests on January 6th in the Western world. It is on the twelfth day of Christmas that the Three Kings reach Jesus in Bethlehem. January 6th commemorates the coming of the Magi and the presence of Christ in the world.

In the world of Santons, the coming of Mary and Joseph to the Stable, the arrival of Jesus, and then the arrival of the Three Kings are all celebrated. The Carbonel Santons workshop offers distinct figures for the advent of Mary and Joseph in their Size #2, Elite Santons.

When the nativity is set-up in a family's home they first place Advent Mary and Joseph at a distinct distance from the stable and move them closer day by day.

On Christmas Eve the Advent Set is put away and the Kneeling Mary and Joseph are placed in the creche.

Christmas morning, of course, the Christ Child arrives.

And then the three Kings commence their journey, beginning in a spot distant from the creche, and then as with Advent Mary and Joseph, move a little bit closer each day, finally arriving in Bethlehem at the stable on January 6 to rejoice in Christ's birth.

Posted in Carbonel Santons, Provence Christmas