Three King's Cake (or bread) is closely allied with the traditions around the Epiphany (January 6th). The tradition is to share a “Rosca” were each person cuts a piece, inside the big donuts there are around 5 plastic baby Jesus, the person that gets the baby Jesus will have great luck and many blessings trough out the new year and will also provide on February 05th The Day of the Candelaria, tamales (Mexican Dish) for everyone. The child Jesus was so happy with their visit that he gave the three Wise Men the gift of eternal life and the power to bring gifts to all the children of the world once a year. Families exchanged gifts on December 25th, but the special gifts were brought by los Tres Reyes Magos. The day closes the Christmas festivities and is the day the people of Mexico exchange gifts. HISTORY OF THREE KINGS DAY. Mexico City, Jan 5 (efe-epa).- Traditional buying on Three Kings Day this year will be down by about 50 percent in Mexico due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has hit Mexicans’ buying power very hard and forced the closure of non-essential businesses in important consumer economic centers like the capital. The night before, families enjoy a special bread known as Rosca de Reyes — Three Kings Bread. Also known as Epiphany, the date marks the visit of the Magi to the Christ child: they are traditionally considered to have numbered three wise men, corresponding to the three gifts mentioned in the Bible. Sometimes the letters are placed in helium-filled balloons and released into the sky to reach the kings by air. Part of the fun tradition of Three Kings Day involves what children do the night before Jan. 6 to make sure they get gifts from the Three Wise Men. The 6th of January will probably be the happiest day of the year for all the children living in Mexico (and possibly in other countries of the world) – because on that day we have the Three Kings’ Day Celebration. Three Kings celebration at Epcot, photo by Cristine Struble. They close out the season with a final round of family visits, presents and hot chocolate on Jan. 6, the Day of the Three Kings, when, according to St. Matthew, the wise men arrived in Bethlehem to worship the newborn Jesus. MéXICO CITY Traditional buying on Three Kings Day this year will be down by about 50 percent in México due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has hit Mexicans’ buying power very hard and forced the closure of non-essential businesses in important consumer economic centers like the capital. If enough Kings enter, a contest is held to select the most regal trio. The night before, every city hosts a parade to welcome the Three Wise Men who have just arrived from the Far East. The “three wise men” even have names here: Melchor, Gaspar, and Baltasar. Each year one villager agrees to be the host, or mayordomo, of the fiesta, which starts with an afternoon Mass in the main church and goes on until all hours, with street dances and mariachi bands. Their names: Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar. After the New Year, the thrones are occupied by the Kings, decked out in golden robes and turbans. Shutterstock. For Three Kings Day, retirees deliver hope and holiday stockings to children at Mexico migrant camp Hot Topics. Yet nowhere is Three Kings Day more festive than in Cajititlan de Los Reyes, just 6.2 miles from Ajijic, Jalisco off the airport road. January 06th,, a very important yearly celebration in the Mexican cultural and Catholic belief, the three wise man is celebrated each year a holiday that brings magic to the little ones and gather love ones together to cut the “ROSCA” (Big Donut) which is accompanied with hot coco. In Western Christianity, the feast commemorates principally (but not solely) the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child, and thus Jesus' physical manifestation to the Gentiles. Never a country to shirk its festive responsibilities, Mexico traditionally closes out its Christmas and New Year celebrations on January 6th, Día de Reyes or Three Kings Day. Pastorelas. Christians believe that three kings (or wise men) – Melchor, Gaspar and Baltazar – visited the child Jesus and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. by: Sandra Sanchez. The holiday celebrates Epiphany, when the Three Kings or Wise Men visited the baby Jesus with precious gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. By Miquel Muñoz. January 6th is Three Kings Day. The literal translation of “reyes magos” would be “king magicians”. Get notified every time we add new content to our site. Mexico holidays 2022. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. Hispanic families will usually celebrate Three Kings Day with a scrumptious dinner that is topped off with the King’s Bread (Rosca de Reyes) for dessert. Although Mexico has in recent years adopted a splashy American-style Christmas on Dec. 25, led by a Santa Claus who travels in heavy red suits despite the tropical climate, Three Kings Day brings a return to Mexican ways. The Three Kings Day (Día De Los Reyes Magos) celebrates the Nativity story of the Three Kings, also referred to as The Three Wise Men --Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar -- who brought gifts to baby Jesus in Bethlehem. This is a celebration that brings family together and keeps the traditions bringing blessings to the beginning of the new year. Rather, it is the three wise men who are the bearers of gifts and leave presents in or near the shoes of small children. Today, Jan. 6, is Three Kings Day. In Mexico, the day is a gift-giving holiday. Epiphany-the feast of the three kings: With respect to the Gregorian calendar, the three wise men came to Jesus on the 12 th day of Christmas. Written by Tim McDonnell www.joyholidayfamily.com Jesus was baptized on the same day by John the Baptist, by the River Jordan. You will receive a link to create a new password via email. Agreeing that a king of kings needed gifts worthy of his person. Three Kings Bread . Three Kings Day! This date commemorates the visit the Three Wise Men made to the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. English. The zocalo in Mexico City has held celebrations with a loaf of bread over one mile long with hundreds of thousands attendees to try it. So, every year children on the morning of the 06th of December receive presents such as Christmas Day, many parents represent this day with smaller and more significant gifts, celebrating this holiday brings to life the Mexican holiday cultural and maintains the traditions generation to generation. 14219 views. In Mexico that means the happiest day of the year for boys and girls who wait with giddy anticipation for the "reyes magos" to bring them presents. Thus, Three Kings Day in Mexico is called Día de Reyes. As the story goes, Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar, the three wise men came bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and mirth. The meal concludes the Christmas holidays and usually consists of simple, hearty fare followed by the serving of a King’s Cake. While some celebrate the three wise men others commemorate this day as his day of baptism. The Aztec country celebrates this day by adding figurines of the Three Wise Men to the nativity on January 5. The Wise Men signify the non-Jewish people of the world, so Three Kings Day is seen as a revelation of Jesus to the Gentiles. The moment this occurred they decide to begin their journey and started their walk on camels, dressed in silk robes with turbans on their heads. Felice Navidad is likely the most common greeting, but since children receive their gifts on Three Kings Day , that has its own greeting. Although Mexico has in recent years adopted a splashy American-style Christmas on Dec. 25, led by a Santa Claus who travels in heavy red suits despite the tropical climate, Three Kings Day … Melchior, Gaspar, and Baltasar knelt in front of the manger where the Child slept and placed the gifts at his feet. They … Access Chapala Team wishes you a great New year and hope you are able to enjoy of the traditions that the lakeside offers and hope you have an opportunity to enjoy the Rosca freshly baked in the local bakeries. Coming from the east to pay tribute to baby Jesus and give him gifts of great symbolic wealth. Rather, it is the three wise men who are the bearers of gifts and leave presents in or near the shoes of small children. January 6th is Three Kings Day in Mexico. 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