Today we celebrate el dia de los Reyes Magos! In Mexico Santa Claus doesn’t hold a seat of great power- instead
children ask the three wise men to bring them gifts in imitation of the gifts
that the magi brought to Jesus. On January fifth children write letters to the magi asking them for specific gifts
and set out sweets for the magi and hay & water for the camels. On the eve
of the sixth children place their shoes neatly beside their beds and in the
morning they wake up to a lovely surprise.
On top of their shoes are gifts and goodies brought to them by the magos.
In addition to the gifts, the family wakes up to share together a Rosca de Reyes for breakfast. The round shape of the bread symbolizes God’s
infinite love. The shape also signifies the
crown of the King of Kings and the decorations on top of the bread are symbolically
the jewels. The babes hidden in the
bread have multiple meanings; one, they remind us of the young children that
were hidden to avoid being slaughtered on command of King Herod around the time
of Jesus’ birth. The figurines also represent the flight of the holy family
during this time of turmoil and more specifically protecting Jesus. Thus, whoever finds the little babes inside
the bread is immediately blessed and must care for baby Jesus until February
second the day of la Candelaria. Closing the tradition the bearers of baby Jesus
must help throw the party with tamales and atole.
This year
we shared briefly these traditions with our RCIA students. Though they are all Mexican they had no clue
concerning the symbolism of the traditions that they normally participate in
during this time of year. Yet, they were
so curious to find out more about their faith and culture. I think like them - many of us who have been
in the states for most or all of our lives, we are losing the beauty of these
cultural ways to honor God. I leave you
with some pictures of our RCIA celebration.
Everyone taking a turn to cut the rosca in search of a babe.
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