The three wise men- 3 Kings' day= Dia de los 3 Reyes Magos.

The three wise men- 3 Kings' day= Dia de los 3 Reyes Magos.

On January 6th, many cultures,countries and religions (especially Catholics) celebrate The three wise men day (in Spanish: Dia de los 3 Reyes Magos-3 Kings' day),that is the popular celebration,though in the religious sense it's The Epiphany.
Epiphany marks the end of the Christmas season,the 12 days after Christmas.

The mass for Christ (Christ + Mass = Christmas) is often celebrated the evening before Christmas day (the origin of the English word "Christmas" is found in the Old English Cristes Maesse (Mass of Christ), and Epiphany is often celebrated as the Twelfth Night.

It's believed it is the amount of days the 3 Wise Men (Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar) found Baby Jesus in the Stable in Jerusalem, after He was bornt, during the time of King Herod.

The tradition says Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar were guided by the Bethlehem star,before baby Jesus was bornt in Bethlehem,by this time when the star appeared in the sky, King Herod called the 3 kings secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared, King Herod tried to convince the kings to tell him "where the baby had bornt because he also wanted to give him gifts and praise him",but the wise men didn't believe Herod's intentions or maybe they foresaw (it was said they were warned by an angel in a dream),that Herod wanted to kill the baby born in Bethlehem, King Herod became furious when he realized the Kings weren't going to give him any information and it was when he ordered to kill all babies that were 2 years old or under that age because all of them represented a danger for him as a King of Jerusalem, sadly it was an unfair and cruel massacre.

Fortunately Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar foresaw the birth of Christ,and followed the star until they found the stable and baby Jesus,and Herod couldn't found the baby. The 3 Wise Men worshipped baby Jesus offering him very special gifts: gold, frankincense (Incense), and myrrh. They were known (called) Magi/Wise Men of the East or Three Kings of the Orient, they were noblemen and have been described not only as wise men but kings and Persian priests and astrologers.

Caspar/Gaspar of Tarsus, Melchior of Persian and Balthasar of Saba offered gold, frankincense (Incense), and myrrh to Baby Jesus and the story says:
Caspar represents youth,he is European and offers gold. Gold finances the Holy Family's coming flight to Egypt and also symbolizes Christ's immortality and purity. For his generosity, Caspar receives the gifts of charity and spiritual wealth. Melchior represents middle-aged men, he is Persian and offers myrrh. Myrrh is a fragrant gum, which the ancient Israelites believed to strengthen children.It is believed Myrrh was associated to men who practiced medicine,it can heal and has some mycotic benefits. This symbol of Christ's mortality was blended with wine and offered to him on the cross, and also mixed with aloes to wrap his body for the tomb. Melchior receives the gifts of humility and truth. Balthasar represents elderly, he is Ethiopian and offers frankincense. Frankincense is a resin used in incense for worship and also symbolizes prayer and sacrifice.Incense has been used for many ancient cultures for purifying the environment,clearing it from bad spirits and it's been used for mystic men. Balthasar receives the gift of Faith.

With these gifts the 3 Wise Men honored Baby Jesus,but in the same time they prepared him for what he would be living when he became an adult,He humbling himself to become man, offered us the greatest gift of all, the light that forever burns in the darkness- The eternal life for the ones who believe in Jesus Christ and in the religion.

So from ancient times, the custom of offering gifts to the children every January 6th,is celebrated in many countries as it is in Mexico (my Country), and it's a really strong tradition,only can be compared to the day Santa Claus brings gifts to children in many countries in America and Europe, the difference is that Santa Claus brings the gifts to children and adults and it's on December 25th (after Christmas eve).

The 3 Wise Men only bring the gifts for children (of course that if we as adults believe in them we can always receive a special gift too,no matter how old we are),the tradition is that children have to behave nicely/fine in the year and when January 6th is close they have to write a letter for Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar .

As a part of the tradition in Mexico,families get together around their tables to share the rosca de reyes (a kind of sugared bread and dried fruits), it contains inside a little plastic doll representing Jesus (it can contain more than one), every little plastic baby is placed in the bread,so when a person gets a little baby in a piece of rosca,he/she will have to prepare tamales or any other kind of food on February 2nd, the rosca dinner can be celebrated on January 5th or until 6th, but what matters is that children place his/her shoe under the Christmas Tree,on the eve of the Kings' day, the next morning they will be so happy for finding their gifts under the Christmas tree.

I have very special memories from my childhood,especially from those Kings' days I could celebrate,it was such a magic time for my brothers and me,of course for my cousins and friends too (all of us were very young those days), I always remember the magic faces of my brothers when they found the Wise men's gifts, actually those nights we barely slept because we were so curious,we wanted to see them, the Wise Men were always very kind with my brothers and me (they are still) and even they "have written a few words for us every January 6th". When we were children, we used to leave cookies and milk for the Wise Men because we knew they would be thirsty and hungry after their long trip, it was a wonderful time, nowadays we try to keep the tradition with the younger ones.

I truly believe on The Wise Men and in Santa Claus.

I wish that all people who believes on The Wise Men have a wonderful Kings' day this January 6th,2010 and never stop believing on them! A very special love wish for all my friends and for my beloved...he is my best gift!

Sandra Villanueva