Día de los Reyes Magos “Three Kings Day”

Background Information El Día de los Reyes Magos es el 6 de enero Also known as: Epiphany or Theophany Three Kings Day signifies the journey that the Three Wise Men or Magi followed a star across the dessert to bring baby Jesus gifts for being the “King of Jews” This day can also signify the baptism of Jesus.

Baltasar, Gaspar, & Melchor

The Three Wise Men gave baby Jesus 3 gifts Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh The gold signifies Jesus being “royalty” The frankincense signifies Jesus and his “divinity” aka being an extension of God The myrrh signifies Jesus and his immortality, to foreshadow his death and rising 3 days later

How to celebrate… Children write letters to the Three Wise Men for what they want On January 5th, children leave their shoes outside or under their beds where they will receive their gifts overnight

Rosca de Reyes Circular bread roll made with cheese and dried fruit/candy A figurine Jesus is baked inside of the bread to be found by someone during dinner

Tradition The hidden figurine signifies hiding Jesus’s birth from the world The knife signifies the danger that he and the Virgin Mary was in During dinner, the person who has the baby figurine in their bread must host the next party, “Candelaria” at their house on February 2nd

Activity Write and decorate a short letter to the Three Wise Men for three wishes for this year Baltasar – an academic wish Gaspar – a wish for your family Melchor – a personal wish for yourself “Dear”  Querido __________,

Example: Querido Baltasar, I wish for all of my students to pass with a B or higher Querido Gaspar, I wish that my grandmother will live to see another birthday Querido Melchor, I wish that I will travel more than I did last year.