Tonight is the Eve of Epiphany or La Vispera de Reyes. The Epiphany, celebrated on January 6, commemorates the Three Wise Men, arriving in Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus. On this night children will leave out their shoes or boxes and stuff them with grass so that the camels of the Three Wise Men can have nourishment as they come by the casas and leave presents for them.
To this day in Hispanic countries throughout the world, January 6 is the day that children receive their Christmas gifts, in commemoration of the visit to baby Jesus.
Tonight, Antonio will receive his small gift [the Buzz Light Year back pack]. I also have small gifts from Bath & Body Works for my sisters and Fererro Rocher chocolates for my father. As of tomorrow, all of the holiday decorations come down, and the season of Christmas will be safely put away in the garage....until next year.
Happy Holidays !
Besos mi gente...
El Rey Melchor was the Sultan of Arabia. He was the oldest of the Magi and was a small and gentle man. Melchor had a long white beard and wore elegant crimson robes. His gift was gold which was much used by the Hebrews for the Temple and was plentiful in the time of David and Solomon. Gold was not coined until after the reign of King David, was an article of commerce and was sold by weight. It is rumored that Melchor brought many other priceless gifts as well. Saint Melchor's feast day is January 7th. Saint Melchor's figure goes before the other Kings in a manger scene. El Rey Baltazar was a Nubian King and ruler of Ethiopia. Baltazar was dressed in exquisite robes. His gift was myrrh, a precious and aromatic resin that comes from the bark of thorny African trees and symbolized suffering. Myrrh was a precious comodity in the Middle East. It was one of the ingredients of the holy ointment, Exodus 30:23, and of the embalming substance. John19:39. It is also used in medicine and as a perfume. Baltazar was also rumored to have brought many other expensive gifts and treasures along. Legend tells us that Baltazar died soon after in the presence of the other Wise Men. Saint Baltazar's feast day is January 8th. El Rey Gaspar was Emperor of the Orient and ruled over all oriental lands. He is also represented as white but does not wear a beard. His clothes were gilded in gold. King Gaspar's gift was frankincense, an exceedingly aromatic gum used in the sacred incense for the Temple service. It is distilled from a tree in Arabia.. Frankencense was priceless and a gift for Kings and symbolized prayer. It was burned in temples to honor God. Gaspar is said to have also brought many other fine gifts for the Christ Child. It is said that Gaspar traveled the furthest to visit the Christ Child. Saint Gaspar's feast day is January 6th. |
