Here is a little video in Spanish about the feast of Epiphany.
HERE IS A SONG TO LOS 3 REYES MAGOS- THE 3 WISE MEN
The Tradition Continues
The Three Kings are Coming: Keeping the Tradition
Son Güncelleme:
By: Alejandra Okie-Holt
In early January, many people in the U.S. are already putting away their Christmas decorations and doing away with their trees. But on the evening of January 6, some families from Latin America, Spain and other parts of Europe will gather to celebrate another holiday.
Three Kings Day, also known as the Epiphany or Twelfth Night, marks the end of the Christmas season for many families and many of us have special memories of this celebration. The Gospel tells of magi or magicians who traveled looking for the new king who was going to be born. In those days they were called magi because they were following the star of Bethlehem, which predicted the coming of the new king. The Bible doesn’t provide many details but it’s believed that they were wise men or astronomers. Tradition describes them as 3 kindhearted kings because they brought gold, frankincense and myrrh as gifts for baby Jesus. In the VII century, they became known as Melchior, Gaspar and Balthasar.
The Tradition
Many families get together on January 6 to enjoy a meal that ends with a traditional crown-shaped cake. In Mexico, a small doll is hidden inside this delicious cake (a dry bean is used in France and other countries). The doll represents Jesus and the need to find him a safe place so he would not be killed by King Herod’s soldiers. According to tradition, the person who gets the slice with the doll will have to throw a party on Candlemas, February 2 (exactly 40 days after Christmas). Traditionally, tamales and atole (a hot drink thickened with corn flour) are served at this party. Some families put away their nativity scenes and Christmas decorations on this day. In Spain and other countries, the Three Kings parade through the city giving candy to children.
Also, many children get presents from the Three Wise Men instead of Santa Claus. Kids write letters to the Three Kings with their requests and place them in one of their shoes by the door in hopes of getting presents. They also leave water and fruit for the Kings and grass for their animals. The following morning, children are delighted to find small gifts inside their shoes. Children who have not behaved very well find an onion or a piece of coal instead of presents.
Continuing the Tradition
Whether you celebrated Three Kings Day as a child or you want your family to adopt this tradition, here are some ideas to celebrate this holiday:
* Have dinner with your family and friends on the night of January 6. Prepare a simple meal and have a ring-shaped Three Kings cake for dessert. Find a recipe to make this delicious cake. The person who gets the slice with the doll wears a home-made paper crown and is queen or king for the day. And don’t forget the hot chocolate!
* After dinner, read books about the story of the Three Kings to your children. Find books at the library so you won’t have to buy them. Find a public library near you.
* Leave water for the Three Kings and grass for their animals in a box outside your door. If you have children, they can write a letter to the Kings assuring them that they were good the previous year. Each one of them can leave one of their shoes by the door with the letter inside it. The next morning, the children can find simple gifts inside their shoes like new socks or fruit wrapped in shiny paper. And they will find that the grass and water they left for the animals has disappeared.
* If you celebrated Three Kings Day as a child, tell your kids and friends about how you celebrated this day. That way you’ll continue your family’s cultural traditions.
