The Three Magic Kings

The first thing I need to do is confess that it has been a long time since I felt the Christmas spirit in some way. I have years paying not much attention to celebrations and joy of the times, it's maybe the adult life with its responsibilities and hurries which turn me a little "Grinch". But I need to confess this too, thanks to this contest I found much of the lost Joy for Christmas times, so I'm grateful with the opportunity to participate!!

Another thing I need to confess is that I will not going to talk about "Papá Noel" or "Santa Claus" like he is known in my country México. Here we know him and celebrate him but not in a traditional way but a little more commercial. Here tradition give us the Three Magic Kings who give presents to Jesus child when he was born. They are also known as the Three Wise Men or Biblical Magi. And just with this contest I've learned that this is common in Spanish speaking countries. They came from all the corners and cultures of the world celebrating the birth of Jesus and giving him presents, gold, incense and myrrh. They are:

(Melchor)


(Gaspar)

AND


(Baltasar)
Here you can see the figures of the "Nacimiento" in my home, but wait, we are going to that. ;)

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So, how it works for the children here, it's simple they have two days when they receive presents, first on December 25 like in most of the world and the second is January 6 is the second, Three Magic Kings' day. In that day besides the presents for the children we eat a "Rosca de Reyes" (something like "Bread of Kings") in the night almost always accompanied by chocolate to drink.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Rosca de Reyes brings a surprise because inside of it there's randomly placed some little dolls that represent a child. When the Rosca is shared maybe you receive one of these dolls, so along side of all your partners in dolls, you have to organize a party with "tamales" on February 2 Candelaria Virgin's day.

Tamales

Syncretism is the answer for this tradition since when the spanish people arrives to Aztec lands, here they have a ritual to some gods or goddesses where they offer this food called "zatzapaltamalli", as Fray Bernardino Sahagún said in his memories from the New World, maybe they commemorate Tlaloc, god of rain, or maybe his sister Cuatlicue, or maybe to the great Quetzalcóatl. Now here in México remains the tradition of tamales in that day.

El Nacimiento

During the season in every home, mine is no exception we make a representation of the moment of birth of Jesus in Belem, clay figures represent Joseph, Mary, the Three wise Kings, pastors, animals and in December 24 in the night the little figure of Jesus arrives. Since December 12 we have "posadas", which are previous celebrations remembering the travel of Joseph and Mary just about give birth to Jesus. But there are "posadas" for every taste and with a lot of fun, especialy those of the younger. You did see some figures of the "Nacimiento" in my home, here is something more:

My Home







My City

Cities here put this human size "Nacimientos" that give light and life to the parks and plazas. On December 25 at first hour the families put the little Jesus figures and sing to him and everybody wants to carry him as a baby.

My Letter

As all the children here I put my letter on a balloon that send my wishes to the Wise Kings and I just ask peace and joy, for this world, for my country and also for me in my day by day, because then its easy to come anything else.
I'll say goodbye to this post with some walks in these holydays through my city, Mérida, Yucatán, México, ancient mayan land. In the modernity of happiness and Light.

Big Hugs and Happy Holydays for All!!