The tradition of 3 Kings Day…taken from the Internet!!
Three Kings Day
by Oscar Guzman
During the era of the kings of France, bread was filled with a lima bean, and the person who found it in his bread would receive the gift that His Highness had prepared for the event. The idea was to place a lima bean in the bread dough, which was usually filled with fruits like dates and raisins, and this bread was shared around the time of the New Year festivities.
The tradition changed a bit when it arrived to the Americas, transforming itself according to the customs and resources of our country, where it eventually became the rosca. Here the rosca is decorated with pieces of orange and lime, and is filled with nuts, figs, and cherries. Hot chocolate accompanies the rosca.
So every year, on January 6, families all across Mexico gather around their tables to share the rosca de reyes. And now, instead of finding a lima bean in the bread, a little plastic doll representing Jesus is placed in the bread. The person who receives a piece of bread with this doll inside has to make the tamales used in the fiesta de la Candelaria on February 2. This celebration is the last of the Christmas festivities, 40 days after Jesus's birth.
According to the story, the three Wise Men (called in that time "magicians", although they were actually astronomers) saw from the far east the birth of a star over the town of Bethlehem, and they discovered the meaning behind the star: a savior had been born. They traveled to Bethlehem, and along the way they found the King Herod, whom they told of the birth of the new King. Herod ordered them to find the baby and return to give the news of the place where the little Messiah had been born.
The three wise men found the baby in a manger, adored by shapers, and they offered him three gifts: gold, which represented the spiritual wealth of the child; frankincense, which signifies the earth and the sky; and Myrrh, the oil which was used for medicinal as well as spiritual purposes. Upon their return, an angel warned them that they should not tell King Herod about the birth of Jesus because his plan was to kill the baby. So the three wise men returned by way of a different path to their homeland.
So every year we celebrate the Epifanía (manifestation) of God on earth to the Reyes Magos...who were neither kings nor magicians
Sit down before you read this……..I was up at 6.50am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Packed lunch and drinks and at 7.30am went to pick up Sara and off to the Deaf school where we loaded up 230 gifts for one of the schools in the Campo…..this is the third year I have helped with this incredible event…….I was voted as team leader and it was such a pleasure working with dedicated helpers and we had all the gifts wrapped sorted out into gender and ages and all loaded up in Carolyn’s SUV…she had so kindly loaned me the vehicle again and all the gifts fitted in…..
We went to another smaller school first and I really cannot describe the humility, blessings and sheer joy of seeing these wonderful children who really have nothing line up so quietly and orderly to receive a small gift and then when they get the gift they say “gracias” and then they do not open the gift but take it with them and then wait a couple of days to open it…..
What a joy to be able to be a small part in this wonderful celebration.
After we had delivered the gifts for the school I was involved with there was one small school to attend but one of the Kings had to leave so they needed a replacement King…..who could they choose??????????????
Any comments about how silly I look and an instant week blog ban!!!!
Happy or not!!!
The soccer balls were a huge hit and they could not wait to open them and play!!!!
We didn’t get back till gone 3pm and it was a day I shall not forget!!!!!!
Thanks to the event organizer Sharon and John..to Sara for helping me with the sorting of the presents and seeing the kids were not left out….and to Carolyn for the car!!!!
Pura Vida!!!
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