The Wise Men - repost

In Spain Christmas celebrations continue until the 6th of January (Epiphany or Twelfth Night which marks the end of the winter celebrations that start on All Hallows Eve. In mediaeval times this was a time when the Lord of Misrule ruled symbolising the World turning upside down as all of the Lords of the land would become peasants and vice versa). On this day, Día de los Reyes Magos, children receive presents from the Wise Men (named in tradition as Melchor, Gaspar and Balthasar) to whom they have written letters in the days leading up to this date. These letters are either given to the wise men’s ‘emissaries’ and royal postmen in the town squares of their homes a few days before or to the Wise Men themselves as they parade through their town on the 5th of January.

Image taken from http://www.enforex.com/culture/reyes-magos.html

The parade is a family affair as the Wise Men ride through town on their Camels which are laden with presents and they are accompanied by royal pages who throw sweets and other small gifts to the children in the crowd as well as numerous floats depicting children’s characters and at a band top play festive music

Image taken from http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/man-dressed-as-king-caspar-one-the-three-wise-men-or-kings-news-photo/460838525?et=AALCdRt0QVl1EqSnva2s9A&referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.whychristmas.com%2Fcultures%2Fspain.shtml

After the parade children head to bed early (after leaving out water and bread on their windowsills for the Camels to eat and drink) as that night the Wise Men come through the windows of their house and leave presents in children’s shoes. Good children will receive the gifts they requested whilst those who have been naughty get coal (which is actually made of sugar).

Some families will have their nativity scene set up so that they can move the figures of the Wise Men nearer to Bethlehem (and hence the stable) in the run-up to the 5th of January.

A special breakfast is eaten on the morning of the 6th – King Cake or Rosca de Reyes a sweet bread with dried fruits and sugar within which are small gifts as well as a broad bean, whoever gets the bean will either receive coal for their gift or will have to pay for the cake the next year whilst whoever gets the gift is the King or Queen for the day.

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