The Magical Tradition of the Three Wise Kings

Every January 6th, we celebrate three Wise Kings Day. It's a holiday that unites faith, family and culture. This day commemorates the arrival of the three Wise Kings, Melchor, Gaspar and Balthassar, to Bethlehem to worship the Baby Jesus, following the star that guided them from the East.

The tradition has deep biblical and cultural roots, and has evolved over the centuries to become a magical moment for children and adults alike. On the eve of the day, families organize parades in which the three Wise Kings go through the streets throwing candy to the kids. Children leave their shoes or socks under the Christmas tree, as well as some nougat, a few glasses of liquor for the Kings and a bucket of fresh water for the camels and a letter explaining how they have behaved during the year and what they wish to be left for having been good, hoping to find the gifts at dawn, as a symbol of the gifts offered to the Baby Jesus: gold, frankincense and myrrh.

?In many homes, this feast is accompanied by the traditional Rosca de Reyes, a sweet bread in the shape of a crown decorated with crystallised fruit. Inside is hidden a figure of a king and a bean. Whoever finds the king is blessed for the whole year and whoever finds the bean assumes the responsibility of buying the Rosca next year.

Although the details vary from country to country, and the families, the essence of this holiday remains the same: strengthening family unity and transmitting a message of generosity and hope to new generations. Thus, the tradition of the Three Wise Men continues to illuminate hearts, as did that star on the night of Bethlehem.