Although you may be packing away your holiday spirits along with the Christmas ornaments, the season to be jolly in Mexico is still far from over. Festivities linked to the Nativity will keep on rolling for another four weeks, with Three Kings Day coming up January 6 and Candlemas trailing along on February 2.
Epiphany – known here as Dia de Reyes Magos – recalls the revelation of the Messiah as represented by the arrival of the Three Wisemen in Bethlehem and the special gifts they delivered to the Christ Child.
Before tucking into bed on January 5, little tikes place their shoes under their beds or next to the household nativity scene to be filled with surprises. Beforehand they commonly draft wish lists directed to the Reyes that may be slipped inside the footwear, placed under the manger or tied to a balloon released to the heavens.
Local festivities
In recent years, the Reyes Magos have been known to turn up at lakeside around dusk on January 6 for surprise encounters with nippers in Chapala, Ajijic and San Juan Cosala. Unfortunately, this newspaper had been unable to contact the elusive Wisemen to confirm appearances next week. Nonetheless. Ajijic administrator Javier Rojas assures us that the traditional piñata party at the central plaza is a definite go. Scores of kiddies will line up to take turns at whacking at a collection of whimsical clay and paper figures stuffed with candies and seasonal fruits. Residents to willing fuel the fun are encouraged to stop by the Ajijic Delegacion office opposite the plaza in advance to drop off donations of empty piñatas or supplies of oranges, tangerines, limas, unshelled peanuts and wrapped candies.