In Christian tradition, the Magi , also referred to as the (Three) Wise Men, (Three) Kings, orKings from the East, are a group of distinguished foreigners who are said to have visited Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold, frankincenseand myrrh. They are regular figures in traditional accounts of the nativity and in celebrations of Christmas.

Holidays celebrating the arrival of the Magi traditionally recognise a distinction between the date of their arrival and the date of Jesus’ birth.

Western Christianity celebrates the Magi on the day of Epiphany, January 6, the day immediately following the twelve days of Christmas, particularly in the Spanish-speaking parts of the world. In these Spanish-speaking areas, the three kings (Sp. “los Reyes Magos de Oriente”, also “Los Tres Reyes Magos” and “Los Reyes Magos”) receive wish letters from children and magically bring them gifts on the night before Epiphany. In Spain, each one of the Magi is supposed to represent one different continent, Europe (Melchior), Asia (Caspar) and Africa (Balthasar). According to the tradition, the Magi come from the Orient on their camels to visit the houses of all the children; much like Santa Claus with his reindeer, they visit everyone in one night. In some areas, children prepare a drink for each of the Magi. It is also traditional to prepare food and drink for the camels, because this is the only night of the year when they eat.

In Spain, Argentina, Mexico and Uruguay there is a long tradition for having the children receive their Christmas presents by the three “Reyes Magos” (the figure of Santa Claus only appeared in recent years) during the night of January 5 (Biblical Magi Eve). Almost every Spanish city or town organize cabalgatas in the evening, in which the kings and their servants parade and throw sweets to the children (and parents) in attendance. The cavalcade of the three kings in Alcoy claims to be the oldest in the world, having started in 1886. There is also a “Roscón” (Spain) or “Rosca de Reyes” (Mexico) as explained below. In Spain in the Biblical Magi Eve is also represented the Mystery Play of the Three Magic Kings.

In Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, children cut grass or greenery on January 5 and put it in a box under their bed. The grass is for the camels. Children receive gifts on January 6, which is called Día de Reyes, and is traditionally the day in which the Magi arrived bearing gifts for the Christ child. Christmas starts in December and ends in January after Epiphany, although in Puerto Rico there are eight more days of celebration (las octavitas).

Happy Three Kings Day Everyone

Source: Wikipedia