Three Kings Day

The Epiphany

In western Christian tradition, January 6 is celebrated as Epiphany. It goes by other

names in various church traditions.  In Hispanic and Latin culture, as well as some

places in Europe, it is known as Three Kings’ Day

Three Kings Day remembers the coming of

the wise men bringing gifts to visit the Christ child, who by so doing "reveal" Jesus to the world as Lord and King

According to legend based on scripture (Matthew 2:1-12) this day commemorates the Three Wise Men, Melchior, Gaspar and Baltazar, who followed the star to Bethlehem, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They travel to Bethlehem, and along the way encountered King Herod, whom they tell of the birth of the new King.

Herod orders them to find the baby and return to tell him where the Messiah could be found so that he may pay homage. After being warned by God in a dream that they should not return to Herod because he planned on killing the baby, they returned to their own countries another way

The colors of Epiphany are usually the colors of

Christmas, white and gold, the colors of celebration, newness, and hope that

mark the most sacred days of the church year

The symbols include either three crowns or a single crown, various portrayals of the Magi or Wise Men, three gifts, a five pointed star, or a combination of a star and crown

In Mexico, Spain and other Latin countries January 6th is when children receive the majority of their gifts from the Three Kings rather than from Santa Claus at Christmas. Before going to bed the children place their old shoes or a box filled with grass or hay under their bed for the camels with a wish list on top for the Three Kings. In the morning the shoes or box is filled with toys & gifts from the Three Kings.

On Three Kings Day the adults prepare for the Merienda de Reyes, an early evening dinner that friends and families share to celebrate the Epiphany.

All over the country, bakeries offer the Rosca de Reyes, an oval sweetbread, decorated with candied fruit. Hidden inside this delicious Rosca, a plastic figurine of the Baby Jesus. The Baby is hidden because it symbolizes the need to find a secure place where Jesus could be born, a place where King Herod would not find Him.

Each person cuts a slice of the Rosca . The knife symbolizes the danger in which the Baby Jesus was in.One by one the guests carefully inspect their slice, hopping they didn't get the figurine. Whoever gets the baby figurine shall be the host, and invite everyone present to a new celebration on February 2,.  

The Mexican Christmas season is joyously extended up to February 2!

Noel and I had a great time exploring the Three Kings Holiday! I can’t wait to see what other celebrations we can learn about. See you at the next station!

Bibliography

• http://www.crivoice.org/cyepiph.html

• http://www.muybueno.net/articles/latino/three_kings_day.html

• http://www.inside-mexico.com/ReyesMagos.htm