Three Kings Day “Día de Los Reyes Magos” For many Christians, the holiday season doesn’t officially end until the 12th day of Christmas (remember the lengthy carol about “a partridge in a pear tree”?) known as the “Feast of the Epiphany” or “Three Kings' Day”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS3q2iOMljY

Día de Los Reyes Magos It falls on January 6th and is celebrated all over the world. It marks the biblical adoration of baby Jesus by the Three Kings (also referred to as Wise Men or Magi). This is the day the gifts were given to baby Jesus. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the men found the divine child by following a star across the desert for twelve days to Bethlehem. Spanish Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ_UKn0Y23M

El Rey Melchor He was the Sultan of Arabia and oldest of the Magi. He was a small and gentle man with a long white beard, and wore elegant crimson robes. His gift was gold which was much used by the Hebrews for the Temple and was plentiful in the time of David and Solomon. Gold was not coined until after the reign of King David, was an article of commerce and was sold by weight. The gold was believed to be a symbolic acknowledgment of Jesus’ royal standing as “King of the Jews”. Saint Melchor's feast day is January 7th. Saint Melchor's figure goes before the other Kings in a manger scene.

El Rey Baltazar He was a Nubian King and ruler of Ethiopia. Baltazar dressed in exquisite robes. His gift was myrrh, a precious and aromatic resin that comes from the bark of thorny African trees and symbolized suffering. Myrrh was a precious commodity in the Middle East. It was one of the ingredients of the holy ointment, Exodus 30:23, and of the embalming substance. John19:39. It is also used in medicine and as a perfume. It is believed that the myrrh, often used to embalm corpses, was gifted to the newborn as a symbol of Jesus’ mortality -- foreshadowing his death as a means to cleanse humanity of its sins. Saint Baltazar's feast day is January 8th.

El Rey Gaspar He was Emperor of the Orient and ruled over all oriental lands. His clothes were gilded in gold. King Gaspar's gift was frankincense, an exceedingly aromatic gum used in the sacred incense for the Temple service. It is distilled from a tree in Arabia. Frankincense was priceless and a gift for Kings and symbolized prayer. It was burned in temples to honor God.   It is believed that the frankincense manifests the divine nature of the baby’s existence, since he is not an earthly king, but the Son of God. Saint Gaspar's feast day is January 6th.

Reyes festivities come in different shapes and sizes across the globe from community parades to three day celebrations at Disneyland. In Mexico, thousands gather every year to taste a mile-long “Rosca de Reyes” (Kings’ Bread) while others simply make the holiday staple at home honoring the tradition to hide a baby Jesus figurine within the bread -- the person whose slice has the figurine must prepare a party for everyone on the Day of the Candles on Feb. 2 Spain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1hWKPaHors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ktb-UnU-7w Mexico

Fireworks in Spain on the eve of the Three Kings Day celebration.

Three Kings Day Dinner Hispanic families will usually celebrate with a family dinner with the King's Bread (Rosca de Reyes) for dessert. Children also sometimes make crowns to wear at the table in honor of the kings. Typical meals range by country and region. Mexico Puerto Rico Spain

“Rosca De Reyes” or “Roscón” (Spain) It is traditionally baked round to resemble a King's crown, the Rosca de Reyes (or Kings' Bread) It is decorated with dried fruit to resemble jewels. Hidden within the sweet bread is a "baby jesus" figurine -- the individual who finds the toy in their slice must then prepare a party for everyone on the Day of the Candles, which is celebrated on February 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5TOjinIv-s

Mexico’s Rosca de Reyes In Mexico City a mile-long “Rosca de Reyes” was made to celebrate the holiday and over 200,000 people gave it a try in Zocalo Square. 

The Eve of Three Kings Day Many families leave a box of grass (or hay) and water for The Three King's camels to eat. Similar to the tradition of leaving out cookies and milk for Santa Claus. Many leave a wish list for the Kings. Camels are known for being a bit sloppy and leaving a trail of hay behind that children can often follow to their gifts!

Gift Giving/Receiving Children leave their shoes right outside their doors or they have a designated area in the house so the Three Kings will leave their gifts inside, the bigger presents are placed around them. Arre Borriquito https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hFlzGFZKFI Mi burrito sabanero https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5JABscKyFg We Three Kings of Orient Are https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJpecRI_0wY