The Star

a children caroling custom

From Christmas Day to Epiphany Day children walk with the star. It's an old tradition you can see at every Christian people.

The star custom is intended to remind people about the star which, hundreds of years ago, heralded Jesus Christ's birth and showed the three magicians the way to the house where He was about to see the daylight.

The star is made of coloured glossy paper, lighted inside by something like a lantern, which children carry in the evening of Christmas from house to house, singing a star-recitative celebrating Christ's birth:

The Star is rising high,
Like a hidden mystery,
The Star shines brightly,
And to the world announces,
That today the pure,
The immaculate Virgin Mary,
Gives birth to Messiah,
In that famous city,
Known by the name of Bethlehem.

They walk in groups of three like the three magicians coming from Persia to see and gift the newborn Jesus. They sing religious songs like "The Star is rising high ", "In Vitleem town", "What happened at wedding?", "The three magicians from East".

Previous custom: Carols' trail
Next custom: The goat dance
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