1. Día de los Reyes Magos
“Three Kings Day”

2. 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.

3. Baltasar, Gaspar, & Melchor

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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 __________,

9. 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.