The second holiday that Italy has, which the U.S. does not, is on January 6th and is called Epifania (or epiphany in English). Epiphany is a special day when Italians remember the Three Wise Men visiting baby Jesus. They followed a bright star that led them to Him, and they brought gifts to show their love and respect. Epiphany reminds Christians that Jesus came for everyone in the world and that we can bring Him our own “gifts,” like kindness, love and helping others. Again, this is a national holiday.
The Italian community celebrates these special holidays because they are important moments in the Catholic faith, which many Italians follow. Both holidays have special purposes. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception helps people remember Mary and the special role she has in the story of Jesus. Celebrating this day brings families together and marks the joyful beginning of the Christmas season. The holiday of Epifania teaches about generosity and sharing gifts with others. Celebrating Epifania is a nice way to end the Christmas season by focusing on kindness, unity and the idea that Jesus came for everyone. These traditions are kept because they bring families together, remind people of their faith and help the whole community celebrate the Christmas season in a meaningful way.
Yes, these traditions are connected to the Italian environment in several ways. Italy’s warm winter means that Christmas celebrations do not include snow like in other countries, so Italians focus on foods, decorations and community gatherings to create a festive atmosphere.
