The three kings of Cologne (Kaspar, Melchior and Balthazar) were supposed to be the three wise men who came from the East to pay adoration to the infant Christ; according to the legend, the emperor Frederick I.
The Biblical account of Christ's birth includes three wise men who gave gifts to the baby Jesus.
December 26th is La Festa di Santo Stefano, or St. Stephen's Day, which commemorates the birth announcement of Jesus and appearance of the Three Wise Men.
As part of the adaptation, gifts were included in the Christmas tradition, based on the gifts brought to the Christ Child by the Magi, or Three Wise Men.
