VivirLatino

Feliz Dia de Reyes

10:36 H | Topics: Culture - Religion

Don't put that Christmas tree away yet. Some of us are still celebrating! This Sunday is Three King's Day or Dia de los Tres Reyes Magos. Strongly celebrated throughout Latin America, the day marks the Epiphany or 12th day of Christmas. According to Biblical tradition, this was the day that three kings, Melchior, Gaspar and Baltazar (one who is usually depicted as an African and in human representations, is often sadly portrayed in racist blackface) visited the baby Jesus bringing him three gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh.

As a child in Puerto Rico, the day was bigger than Christmas. I used to go to the mega mall Plaza las Americas to get my picture with the Three Kings. I would gather grass on the fifth and put water out with the grass in a shoebox under my bed. On the morning of the 6th, the grass would be scattered and the water spilled on the floor and there were gifts! My grandmother's Reyes always got me underwear or socks but I also got good gifts as well. Plus the day meant another party (like Ricans need an excuse to party) and more delicious food.

It's not easy to find grass in NYC in the dead of winter, but somehow my children and I will manage (we always have before).

Feliz dia de Reyes!

Image Via / Muy Bueno.net

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