Image Credit: Days of The Year
Christmas is a universally popular holiday where families and friends spend time together and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, but did you know that there is another holiday that some people find even more important? Three Kings Day, also known as Epiphany or El Dia de Reyes, is a Christian feast that takes place on January 6th, the 12th day of Christmas, therefore ending the Christmas festivities. Widely celebrated in Latin America by Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, and Christians of other Western traditions, Christians in Latin America value the message of the Three Kings more than others do of Santa Claus (Three Kings Day is universally celebrated, however it is very important in Latin America). The three wise men are the bearers of gifts to small children, and a grand feast takes place to pray to the men as well as honor the occasion of Jesus’ birth.
The story behind this tradition dates back to the 4th century. The star in Bethlehem was one of the mysterious events preceding Jesus’ birth just prior to his arrival. The three wise men-- Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar-- traveled a far distance to pay for homage to Christ, and with them, they brought gifts of myrrh, frankincense, and gold to show adoration for Jesus.
To this day, the Three Kings are celebrated every year on the 12th day of Christmas. One common tradition is the preparation children do the night before. In Mexico and Spain, children leave out their shoes the night before in order for them to be filled with gifts the next morning from the Three Kings. In Puerto Rico, children fill up a box for grass for the Magi’s camels that the kings travelled on to reach Jesus, and in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, children participate in both activities. On the morning of Three Kings Day, kids wake up early to see what gifts have been left for them from the Three Kings, and the rest of the day is spent by spending time with family and playing games, one last reminder of the magic of Christmas. Another tradition that takes place the night before is adding the Three Kings to the nativity decorations in the home, which stays up until Candlemas Day on February 2nd. A fun way to celebrate Three Kings Day is by jumping into some freezing cold water. This is most commonly celebrated in Prague, and people jump into the Vltava River, however people in Latin America participate in this tradition as well.
Food is a very important element of celebration for this day as well. Many culinary treats are eaten on this day, such as Rosca de Reyes (King’s Cake), a symbolic holiday pastry shaped in a circle to signify a king’s crown. Sometimes, the cake is studded with nuts and candied fruit to represent the jewels of the Magi’s crown. Inside the bread is a plastic figurine representing baby Jesus, and whoever finds this token is responsible for hosting the upcoming party for Dia de la Candelaria (Candlemas), the next big holiday. For the al fresco fest, traditional dishes such as black beans, slow-cooked meat, soups, yucca, and nopales are eaten. This feast is typically eaten outside to end off the celebratory day and say goodbye to Christmas until next year.
Written By: Katrina Gillen
コメント