Holidays in Hispanic world
We have Santa
Claus, and they...
In
Serbian culture, the children are impatiently expecting gifts from Santa Claus.
However, in some countries, commonly hispanic world, there is a tradition that
gifts come from so-called Reyes Magos or the Three Kings, named
Melchior, Gaspar and Balthasar. These kings, according to Catholic teaching,
are representatives of the pagan peoples, and they were invited by God in his
kingdom announcing the birth of the Savior
By MAJA PETRIČEVIĆ
Cooperation with magazine "REFLEJO"
Translation:
SLAĐANA JULOSKI
Christmas Eve, January 6th, the
children eagerly expecting the next morning, when they will find presents under
the trees, which brought them Santa Claus. But, is it everywhere like that?
In our culture it is, however, in some countries, commonly in the hispanic
world, there is a tradition that the children receive gifts from so-called
Reyes Magos or the Three Kings , Melchior, Gaspar and Balthasar.
We receive gifts for Christmas, and they receive the day before, on the holiday
called Epiphany.
These kings, according to Catholic teaching, are
representatives of the pagan peoples, and they were invited by God in his kingdom
announcing the birth of the Savior. They were guided by Star of Bethlehem, called
Estrella de Oriente, they arrive in the kingdom of Jesus and donating three
gift - Frankincense (as a God), gold (as a king) and myrrh (as a man).
Each
of the three kings come from different parts of the world. According to belief,
Gaspar comes from Asia, and is usually represented as a darkskinned man
with black beard. Melchior comes from Europe, the old man with white skin
and beard. The last one, Balthasar, originally from Babylonia, and he is
presented as a young man. Since the late Middle Ages, in the iconography, the
king Balthasar was presented as a black man. This is the church desire to show
the worship of Jesus by the kings who come from all continents.
In the
Hispanic world, during the cold winter days, children write letters to the three
kings asking them for gifts. Often the three kings even appear on the streets,
where children can take pictures with them and personally deliver a letter with
their wishes. In some cities, the three kings parade on the streets during the
night of January 5th, which is known as the "Parade of the three kings"
(Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos), and the next day is often the custom to eat
the so-called Roscón de Reyes, candy containing surprises and little gifts.
That
same evening, children leave their shoes in one part of the house. The next day,
if they were good during the year, they will find gifts in that part, and if they
weren't - a coal!
(Published: 15.01.2010.)
