01/06/2021
On January 6, Latin American countries celebrate the Three Kings Day. Traditionally, the three Wise Men bring gifts to children, as they did for Jesus of Nazareth. The children write a letter to the Three Wise Men asking for gifts and why they deserve them.
In some countries, children must leave their shoes next to the window or the door, and they leave sweets, food and water to feed the Magi and their animals.
The next day the children find presents and gifts next
to their shoes. On this holiday it is typical to eat the Rosca de Reyes (a traditional sweet bread) eaten for breakfast as a family, although in many places it is eaten as a dessert or snack and some people also eat it on the eve of the celebration.
These roscas generally have a surprise inside, usually a figurine (representing the baby Jesus) and whoever finds the figurine on their piece will celebrate with a party or pay for the Rosca de Reyes.
The history of the Magi tells that three Wise Men traveled from the East to pay homage and bring gifts to the newborn baby Jesus, known as the King of Kings.
A star guided the Magi to the small town of Bethlehem, the place where Jesus was born. The star is known as the Star of Bethlehem. The Three Wise Men are Melchior, Gaspar and Baltasar. In many countries it is a tradition to put the three Wise Men as part of the manger together with the baby Jesus, the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph.
The gifts of the Magi Melchior gives away myrrh, this is an aromatic, semi-transparent and shiny substance. This gift symbolizes man on earth. Gaspar brings incense as a gift, this is a type of aromatic vegetable resin. This gift symbolizes God and his divinity. Baltasar gives away gold, this is the most precious of metals. Gold symbolizes the King and Jesus is considered the King of Kings.
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