039 – Día de Reyes | Three Kings’ Day
January 6th pretty much wraps up the holiday season in most Spanish speaking countries with Día de Reyes, or Three Kings’ Day.
It’s a Catholic holiday that celebrates the recognition of baby Jesus as Christ. The Three Wise Men, or the Three Kings, travel to visit Jesus and to present him with three gifts.
In Mexico, it’s a time to gather with family and to eat Rosca de Reyes – a type of bread in the shape of a crown that contains a plastic figure symbolizing baby Jesus.
Everyone gets a slice of the bread, and whoever gets the slice with the figure in it, gets to host a party on February 2nd, which is Día de la Candeleria, or Candlemas. So basically, they have to make a ton of tamales!
Día de Reyes can also be celebrated with kids receiving small gifts – think of a small scale Christmas.
It’s a holiday that’s an important part of Mexican culture, showing us how important religion, tradition, and family are to so many across the country.
Links:
- More About Día de Reyes
- Ep. 037 – Christmas Differences Between Mexico and the US
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