Many Mexican people look forward to January 6 with as much enthusiasm as Christmas itself. Día de Reyes (Epiphany) recalls the revelation of the Messiah, as represented by the arrival of the Wisemen in Bethlehem bearing precious treasures for the Christ Child.
For children, it’s the day they expect to wake up to find gifts and goodies left for them overnight during a secretive drop-off by the Reyes Magos (Magi).
For families and friends, it is a date for social gatherings that revolve around sharing Rosca de Reyes, a wreath-like loaf of lightly sweetened bread topped with strips of sugary pastry and candied fruit.
From the first days of January, Mexican bakeries and grocery outlets are well-stocked with roscas in assorted sizes and shapes. Sometimes a filling of nuts, dried fruits or custard is added before baking. Before the bread goes in the oven, the baker slips one or more tiny plastic or ceramic figures of infants into the raw dough.
The form of the rosca signifies God’s infinitive love with no beginning or end. The colorful fruit decorations suggest the jewels of a king’s crown. The baby tucked inside symbolizes Baby Jesus, put in hiding from the jealous and bloodthirsty King Herod.
Once the rosca appears on the holiday table, excitement builds as companions take turns randomly cutting up individual slices. Anyone who carves into a piece studded with a baby is designated as a godparent to El Niño Jesús, henceforth obligated to host a traditional Candlemas tamale feast on February 2, the wrap-up of Mexico’s Christmas season.