Spain: Children in Spain celebrate the day the Three Wise Men visited the newborn Christ Child by filling their shoes with hay and other grasses and leaving them on windowsills to feed the Wise Men’s camels. In the morning, the grasses are gone and replaced by candy and nuts.

Italy: In Italy, the Epiphany tradition includes a witch named La Befana who visits each home to leave candy in the stockings of good girls and boys and charcoal for those who’ve misbehaved. Legend has it that the Three Wise Men stopped at Befana’s hut to ask for food and shelter on their way to Bethlehem. She refused them and sent them away. Later, she regretted her decision and atones for her actions by leaving little gifts for all God’s children. A woman named Babouschka serves the same purpose in Russia.

France: The people of France honor the Wise Men by crafting “santons” (little saints) in their memory. These terra-cotta figures represent all the characters of the nativity and their animals as well as prominent men and women of the village in which they are created.

Germany: Among European countries, Germany probably has the most elaborate Epiphany celebrations of all.

January 6 is the day that many families take down their Christmas trees and join in a huge, community bonfire. For the children, this is an especially joyous time because it means the “plündern” (raiding) of the tree’s ornaments begins. Hard candies, chocolates wrapped in foil, and cookies are their reward.

In the evening, prayers are said and blessed herbs are burned, with their aroma filling each house. Doorways are sprinkled with holy water, and a priest uses chalk to write C + M + B and the year over the doors while saying, “Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar, behütet uns auch für dieses Jahr, vor Feuer und vor Wassergefahr” (Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar, protect us again this year from the dangers of fire and water).

C + M + B has traditionally been considered an abbreviation of the Magi names. Others feel it stands for “Christus Mansionem Benedictat” (Christ bless this home).

From New Year’s Day through Jan. 6, three young people – called “Sternsängers” (star singers) – dress up in royal robes and go from house to house holding a large star and singing a song for the Three Kings. For this, they receive donations, which are given to charities of the church.

Afterwards, everyone shares in a wonderful repast that includes Christmas foods such as Dreikönigskuchen (Three Kings cake) and Glühwein (glow wine). Recipes for both items – including a children’s version of the wine drink – are reproduced below. Guten Appetit!