Who Brings Holiday Presents?

Part 1 of this series on holiday gift-givers talked about Saints and Santas. Part 2 will discuss

The Three Kings as Gift-Givers

One of the most obvious Christian connections between the giving of presents and the Christmas holidays is that it commemorates the arrival of the Three Kings, sometimes called Magi or Wise Men, who brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus. In fact, in some countries, children receive presents not on Dec. 25, but on Jan. 6, the Feast of the Three Kings or The Epiphany.

In Spain, Mexico and other Latin American countries, children write letters t...