And wherever you are in the world enjoy your Epiphany while Britain in its exceptionalism sits it out because of Queen Victoria the Twelfth Night killjoy.
Most Britons have already cocked a snook at superstition by taking their Christmas Tree down before the Twelfth Night.
That very same tree wasn’t around before Vic’s hubbie Prince Albert, of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha introduced it.
But public partying and the decorations we’re supposed to keep up into January were much to Vic’s chagrin.’
Of course as is the way of it that was only after Her Royalness had had her fun with it.
No Saxe please, we’re prudish
The Saxe-Coburg-Gothas were well into Twelfth Night would regularly attend the theatre on that eve.
Perhaps even to watch Shakespeare’s titular play.
And even had a Twelfth Cake made especially for the occasion.
But then come the 1870s, she banned the festivities because the plebs were making it too rowdy… God bless her!
Of course, today the rest of the world will unite in a common holiday while Britain sneers, just the way they like it.
Making a splash
Taking a dip in chilly waters is customary on the day The Magi are said to have made their pilgrimage to the Baby Jesus.
Quite why we don’t know although there is some suggestion that John the Baptist blessed Jesus on this day.
Of course, in some places such as Ireland going for a dip in the seas or rivers or loughs is just every day of the year.
In the River Jordan Eastern Orthodox Christians take the opportunity of the Epiphany.
To draw extra blessings with purification in the holy waters in Israel.
Although, we’d advise you to resist the temptation to join in.
Particularly if you’re standing on the opposite bank in Jordan.
As an eagle eye will spot gun-wielding Israeli soldiers among them looking for people swimming across the matter of metres to their side.
No such risks for those who jump in the River Vlatva which runs through Prague.
And there’s probably something more prosaic about their intentions.
The Czechs being the biggest beer drinkers per head of the population in the world and this being the culmination of Christmastime festivities.
Guide us to thy perfect light
One allowance Britons do make around the Feast of Epiphany is the singing of the specific Magi carol We Three Kings of Orient Are.
Written by the Pennsylvania pastor Reverend John Henry Hopkins Jnr, who showcased the hymn.
In his holiday pageant for the General Theological Seminary in New York in 1857.
Now whether you believe you’re entitled to continue your Christmas carousing on Epiphany or are more pious about the partying like Vic.
Let’s hope someone visits with gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Regardless of what Queen Victoria the Twelfth Night killjoy thought about it all.
