Three Kings Day and their gifts in the Regional Traditions Guide

We three kings of Orient are
bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
following yonder star

As in Europe and North America, Christmas is accompanied by the jolly man dressed in red. In Mexico and the majority of Latin countries, the festivities end with the three wise men.

In accordance with the gospel of Saint Matthew (Matthew 2: 1-12) three wise men, who were kings and astronomers (there are some who say that they were four, seven and up to twelve), discovered the star that according to the religious beliefs of the time, announced the birth of the new king of the world. Lacking money, Melchior, Caspar, and Balthasar, traveled from Persia to Bethlehem to deliver their presents of gold, myrrh, and incense to baby Jesus.

In catholic Spain, around the ninth century, the biblical passage became a tradition. Before there were no pines, that symbolize Christmas with a Nativity and the celebrations ended with gifts for all the children.

Mexico, as it inherited its culture from Spain, quickly adopted Three Kings Day January 6 and since then every child waits for the arrival of the three travelers. The tradition has its rules: the children should write a letter with their requests (they are not going to continue delivering incense and myrrh) and specify the good work they have done throughout the year along with the problems they are going to correct in the coming year. The letter will be tied to a balloon with string and will be allowed to fly, or they will burn the letter (because the king can also read smoke; they are very wise!) or simply put the letter inside a shoe that should be placed at the base of the nativity, or now also the Christmas tree. The night of January 5th all the children go to sleep early and on the 6th, the toys appear next to the shoe.

Obviously, the children should behave well so that the wise men leave the gifts that they asked for in their letters. Just as children leave out cookies for Santa, many children leave out water for the animals and others also leave food for the tired wise men from the east.

The Three kings and their gifts

Melchior is an old man with white skin and beard. His gift for Jesus is gold, which represents the character of the king.

Caspar is a dark skinned young man. His gift is incense, which represents the divine character of the baby.

Balthasar is a middle aged African man. His gift is myrrh, which represents the sacrifice of worldly life.