January 6, 2015
Today is the “Day of the Holy Kings” in Mexico. This day celebrates the arrival of the three
kings who came to visit the Baby Jesus.
It is this day that the children receive gifts – and they are placed
under the Christmas tree during the night.
It is the Kings that bring the gifts – Santa has nothing to do with it.
The night before the sky was filled with lanterns. If you saw the movie “Tangled”, you saw the
paper lanterns that were lifted into the air by a small candle that was lighted
beneath the lantern. These lanterns have
been on sale by street vendors for several months. It’s a great blessing that the houses are
made of cement and can survive these lighted celebrations!
One of the fun things is the “Rosca de Reyes” bread. It’s a large circle of bread that feeds
many. Hidden within is the Christ child. If you get the piece with the baby in it, you
are responsible for hosting a party on February 2nd. You are supposed to take the little Christ
child to church, and then host a party of tamales and atole.
We bought one of the breads and took it to the mission
office. I wanted to see what these
little figures looked like in the bread.
Our bread feed about 15 missionaries – and we had 4 figures in
ours. I did not get one – although I
kept trying! However, two kind missionaries
shared their figures with me so now I have then as a keepsake of Mexico. I don’t think anyone will want my tamales.....
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