What is celebrated in Reyes Magos

The last of the many festivities, which begin in December, takes place on the morning of January 6, with the arrival of the Three Wise Men to homes.

This celebration takes place in many cities around the world and is celebrated mainly among the youngest who, with great enthusiasm, await their gifts.

However, despite its popularity, many people are unaware of its origin or its real meaning and even miss some curious facts about history and traditions, which are detailed below.

How is the history and what is celebrated?

This tradition commemorates the moment of adoration of the baby Jesus by the three Magi: Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar.

Jesus had been born a few days ago, at Christmas, and that is why they brought him gifts - that is why the children also receive them.

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To get there, according to the Bible, the Kings followed a very bright star that guided them to the “newborn King of the Jews”, as he was known at the time, by word of mouth.

Upon arrival, they paid homage to him by offering him his gifts.

All this happened, according to the Catholic religion, on January 6 since that day marks the 13th anniversary of the birth of Jesus, which marks the beginning of the epiphany (manifestation of the son of God to the world).

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On this occasion, the three Kings had been sent by King Herod, who wanted to know who this newborn was who proclaimed himself "King of the Jews" and threatened his power. However, he never managed to access this information, so he ordered the slaughter of many babies.

Curious facts about the Three Wise Men

First, no, they were not kings . The Gospel of Matthew makes it very clear that they are "some wise men from the East". Later, in some writings reference is made to "magicians" but always from the sense of wise people.

Second, they weren't three either . Actually, in this Gospel the number of people who undertook on this journey is never reported. What is mentioned is that, upon arrival, they presented 3 offerings. From here the question arises: could there really have been 3 or was the idea born of a graphic convenience when it comes to representing the situation, with a character for each gift?

Finally, and in order not to break any more illusions, their names were not Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar . Neither Matthew nor the apocryphal gospels say so. The first documentation with these three names was given in a mosaic of the basilica of San Apollinaris el Nuevo, in Ravenna, Italy. However, others believe that the name could have come from the Venerable Bede. The reality is that there is no certainty on this point.

gifts and shoes

The passage of the Kings through homes is at dawn on January 6. For this reason, the children must leave, on the night of January 5, their shoes next to a bowl of water and another of grass, for the hungry camels that arrive tired from so many kilometers. Many children also leave some cookies for the Kings.

Generally, everything is usually placed near a door, window or patio, and some also place it near the tree.

In turn, in the previous days, the boys must write their letters and leave them there so that the royal pages look for them and give them to the Kings.

Where does the tradition of shoes come from?

The strongest theory about its origin dates back to the Netherlands in the fifteenth century (Holland at that time). At that time there was a tradition of "putting on a shoe" by which the most popular sectors took their shoes to the Church so that, during one night, the rich left their alms there. Then, in the morning, these "gifts" were distributed among the families.

Other theories of origin

This celebration takes place all over the world so, over the years, variants of this theory have emerged.

For example, in Mexico there is a legend that maintains that the explanation of the shoes and that they are placed near the manger is that that is where the Kings approach with the offerings.

Others affirm that the importance lies in the fact that the Kings can know how many members there are in the family and their ages.

Finally, a hypothesis raised by the traditional branch of Sinaloa Artistics tells that since Jesus was always barefoot, a group of boys close to him decided to give him a pair of shoes. They left him at night in the window of his house and, as a reward for the good deed, the Three Wise Men would have left them candies and gifts in their own shoes.