More ancient than the celebration of Christmas itself, the feast of Epiphany is a Christian holiday commemorating divine power as manifested in three significant New Testament events: the baptism of Jesus, the adoration of the Magi and the miracle at Cana.
It is celebrated 13 days after Christmas on January 6. Hence Anglo references to the preceding eve as Twelfth Night and the every-popular English carol The “Twelve Days of Christmas.” In Mexico the holiday is called Dia de los Tres Reyes (Three Kings Day). Echoing the arrival in Bethlehem of wisemen bearing gold, frankincense and myrrh as gifts for the Christ Child, children anticipate waking up January 6 to find treasures left during the night by the Reyes Magos (Magi).
This popular Mexican holiday has its roots in the colonial era. Early Spanish missionaries saw a fundamental connection between the awakening the native population to the Christian faith and the epiphany of the Magi. Festivities surrounding January 6 are still celebrated with special fervor in many of Mexico’s indigenous communities.
Traditional gift-giving
For many generations of Mexicans Three Kings Day, rather than Christmas, has been the principal date set aside for gift-giving. Most youngsters prepare for the holiday by penning letters to the Reyes Magos to express their deseos (wishes). Customarily they roll up the missives and place them inside one of their little shoes which are set out prior to retiring on January 5 as a depository for the expected toys, sweets and other gifts. A handful of straw may also be stuffed into the shoes as a snack for the Magi’s beasts of burden.
Alternate gift solicitation methods include tucking the wish list beneath the manger in the household’s nacimiento (nativity scene), tying it to the string of a helium balloon that is then released to the heavens, or going high-tech with postings on one of the new millennium Magi websites.
For devout Mexican families Epiphany is a holiday for reaffirming Christian principles as represented by the wisemen’s gifts. The gold symbolizes fundamental family values: prayer, unity and fraternity.
Incense stands for hope, concern for the needs of others and resolute faith in God. Myrrh signifies the healing power of divine forgiveness of our human failings and sins.
Edible crowns
On the whole Dia de Reyes is a festive occasion enjoyed not just by families but by groups of school mates, co-workers and friends who gather to share the culinary specialty of the day – rosca de reyes. The traditional crown-shaped breads are made from a lightly sweet dough flavored with orange and anise that is formed into a circle or oblong form and decorated with jewel-like candied fruits. Before popping them into the oven the bakers slip one or more tiny baby dolls into each pastry. The Rosca babies symbolize hiding the Christ Child from the wrathful King Herod. Originally the infant was represented by a small bean. The bean was later replaced with life-like niños fashioned from clay or porcelain. Nowadays most figures are plastic.
The slicing of the rosca always generates great excitement as each participant cuts his or her own portion and bites in to discover whether it contains a niño. The “lucky” individual comes up with the baby earns the title of padrino (godparent) and the dubious privilege of hosting Christmas season wrap-up festivities on Dia de la Candelaria (Candlemas), February 2, the day that nacimientos are usually dismantled and put away. The padrino is expected to provide a new outfit from the Baby Jesus figure in addition to springing for a feast of tamales and atole for the party guests.