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Without tenses

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handwriter

handwriter

Norway

January 5, 2014

More entries: Half-Wit (3), Come Home Son, Life Is A Risk, Words Are Not Action, JOY, Here's a shot of me doing my one--and only one--yearly exercise (1), Indeed A Higher Law of Justice, Gotcha! (1), A Belated "I'm Sorry", The Fruits of Our Labor?

View all entries from Without tenses >

02:36 PM Jan 05 2014

handwriter

handwriter
Norway

Note: I am not in America (USA), and I am not American.  :)

02:35 PM Jan 05 2014

handwriter

handwriter
Norway

I am not sure that it is an American (USA) tradition--not nationally anyway.  I have never been in America, so I can't honestly tell you what celebrations they hold except for what I can "Google": and we all know how we need to take that information with at least a pinch of salt.  :)

10:31 AM Jan 05 2014

Lankiks
Denmark

At Christmas my son and daugter in law ( from USA ) told me about baby Jesus - and I have never heard about this....but it´s very interesting .

07:39 AM Jan 05 2014

handwriter

handwriter
Norway

All through the night, from midnight to about three o’clock this morning, people were setting up these long tables end-to-end. These tables stretch up and down the main street here in this little city.  At about 5:00 a.m., people started setting these tables with this bread (cake really)--Rosca de Reyes. Now these cakes stretch on both sides of the table the length of these tables—the length being over a mile long!  

06:42 AM Jan 05 2014

handwriter

handwriter
Norway

The Three Kings

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. Sometimes it is referred to as the 12th Day of Christmas and in many Hispanic households it's given the same importance as December 25th.

 

January the 6th is a special day in Mexico. Known as 'El Dia de Reyes' (Three Kings Day), this holiday represents the height of the Christmas season. The date marks the culmination of the twelve days of Christmas and commemorates the three wise men who traveled from afar, bearing gifts for the infant baby Jesus. The children of Mexico in particular look forward to this holiday as traditionally, gifts are exchanged on this date, not on Christmas day.

In Mexico and many other Latin American countries, Santa Claus doesn't hold the cachet that he does in the United States. Rather, it is the three wise men who are the bearers of gifts, who leave presents in or near the shoes of small children. The holiday is also known by the name of the Epiphany which dates back to the 4th century. A grand feast would be held on this day to honor the occasion of Jesus' baptism and to pay homage to the three wise men.

Many believe mysterious events preceded Jesus' birth with perhaps the most notable being the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem. This new star appeared in the evening sky just prior to the arrival of Jesus. Three wise men or Magi as they were then known, whose names were Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar, traveled a far distance to pay homage to the Christ child. They brought with them fine gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Three Kings Day remains an important holiday for the people of Mexico. In addition to the gift-giving aspect of the day there is also a culinary treat that is specific to the holiday. Known as 'Rosca de Reyes' (King's Cake), this holiday dessert offers much in the way of symbolism. Shaped in the round to signify a king's crown, this sweet bread holds a special surprise. Baked inside is a small plastic figurine representing the baby Jesus. Whoever finds this token is obligated to host an upcoming party for the occasion of 'Dia de la Candelaria' (Candlemas Day) which occurs each year on February 2nd.

The effigy of the baby Jesus, hidden inside the cake, represents another aspect of the holiday. The reason Jesus is 'hidden' inside the bread is to symbolize how in life, the Christ child's birth location also needed to remain secret, in order that his life be spared.

The ruler of Jerusalem at the time, King Herod, had been appraised of the mystical signs that indicated the new and rightful King of Jerusalem was soon to be born. Herod's reaction to these predictions was swift and horrible. He ordered his minions to murder all male infants recently born in Bethlehem. However, as destiny would have it, Mary and Joseph found their lodgings in a manger, not an inn. Herod's henchmen didn't think to look for an infant in such a location.

Another lovely custom associated with the Three Kings Day holiday centers around the evening meal. Traditionally, the supper served on this special day is delicious corn tamales accompanied by hot chocolate. This makes for a perfectly quintessential Mexican meal and one that is enjoyed by everyone in attendance.