Tuesday 5 January 2016

Mexican Christmas Traditions - Three Wise Men Celebration - Celebración de Los Reyes Magos

Mexican Christmas Traditions - Three Wise Men Celebration

Celebración de Los Reyes Magos

3 Wise Men celebration  - Barra de Navidad, Jalisco, Mexico - photo: CasaLasMargaritas.com 



3 Wise Men mural - Barra de Navidad, Jalisco, Mexico - photo: CasaLasMargaritas.com 

We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and Fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star
.........
(We Three Kings by Reverend by Reverend John Henry Hopkins Jr.)
"Rosca de Reyes" - Barra de Navidad, Jalisco, Mexico - photo: CasaLasMargaritas.com 

"Rosca de Reyes" - Barra de Navidad, Jalisco, Mexico - photo: CasaLasMargaritas.com 

In Mexico, Christmas celebrations are not over yet. On January 6th, we celebrate the Three Wise Men Day (Día de Reyes). The tradition is that three wise men visited Baby Jesus and brought him gifts. For children in Mexico it is a big day and in many parts of Mexico they receive gifts on this day instead of Christmas Day.

Nativity Scene with 3 Wise Men in San Antonio de Padua Church - Barra de Navidad, Jalisco, Mexico - photo: CasaLasMargaritas.com 

The celebration includes also a reunion where family and friends share a "Rosca de Reyes"  (Wise men bread).

 The "Rosca de Reyes" is a special type of bread with dried fruits on top that is filled with baby dolls who represent baby Jesus, rings and thimbles. Each person has to cut their own piece of bread and search for any of these gifts. The person who finds the Baby Jesus figures should organizes a party on February 2nd. (Candlemas celebration) and serve tamales. The traditions says also that if a person finds a ring in his piece of bread ,they will get married and if they find a thimble they will never get married.
Wise Men

In Barra de Navidad there will be two "Día de Reyes" celebrations for children. The first one is on on January 3rd where a giant Rosca de Reyes will be served, and the second is on January 6th. with a Play "Pastorela" at the church in the "Colonia Ejidal".
You can find "Rosca de Reyes" in different bakeries like Karely or grocery stores like Abarrotes Pelayo.
Traditional Mexican Wise Men Bread. Karely Bakery Barra de Navidad - Barra de Navidad, Jalisco, Mexico - photo: CasaLasMargaritas.com 


Karely Bakery in Barra de Navidad - Barra de Navidad, Jalisco, Mexico - photo: CasaLasMargaritas.com 

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