A Brief History of Three Kings' Day and How It Is Celebrated

Some may think that once New Years ends, the holiday season is over. However, for many Christians in Spain and Latin America, the holiday season comes to an end on January 6 with Three Kings Day. This date is 12 days after Christmas and is called Three Kings' Day or the Epiphany. On this day, the three kings find baby Jesus and deliver gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh by following the north star to Bethlehem.

Today, children celebrate Three King's Day by receiving gifts from the three kings. On the eve of Three Kings' Day, the children are instructed to leave a shoe outside of their door and on the morning of January 6, the children find small gifts and treats in their shoe. Families also leaves gifts for the wise man as well such as salt or grass for the camels that the Three Kings' used for transportation. In Latin American countries, parades are common. In Mexico, 'rosca del rey', a sweet bread is eaten and is meant as a way to represent a kings crown. If someone finds a mini baby Jesus in the bread they are given good luck for that year.

As a Latinx, I find it important to recognize this holiday. It is a holiday that everyone should be able to know and be able to recognize. Christmas is an American holiday that everyone knows about and I feel that Three Kings Day is a holiday that many people do not know the roots and origins of. The Three kings are the Santa Claus to Christmas for children. The camels are the reindeer and transportation that Santa used on Christmas Eve. Both Three Kings Day and Christmas deliver a similar message of peace during the holiday season by bringing families and friends the togetherness that is needed during the holiday season.