Back in the day, (that would be Cuba, 1961. After Castro, but before he canceled Christmas) my family, like most other Cubans (and Puerto Ricans and others of Hispanic descent) celebrated El Dia de Los Tres Reyes Magos on January 6th.
The Day of the Three Kings.
The evening of January 5th, we kids would get ourselves to bed early and look forward to the magic that awaited us the next morning. You see, it was not Santa Claus who brought us gifts, it was these three.
I still remember the haul we would awaken to on January 6th (Feast of the Epiphany, established by the Catholic Church).
And these guys were KINGS. And there were THREE of them. And they had CAMELS! Which meant they could carry that much more loot. (Shut up. I know it's shallow. I was five, okay?)
We knew them by name and sang of songs of fervent praise to them, too. We loved those three: "Gaspar y Melchor y el Rey Baltazar…"
(Read more about the history and story of the 3 Kings here.)
In early in 1961, when we left Cuba, The Three Kings apparently didn't get the memo that we had changed our address and were never to be seen or heard from again in my family. (*deep childlike sigh*)
Santa Claus took over the present delivery and I guess it seemed simpler to my parents to just embrace the Christmas traditions in this country. Although, for years, we still gave credit to "Los Reyes" for bringing our presents.
Sorry Santa! =(
And because I often wax nostalgic and I'm a little distracted and creative, I started wondering what it would look like if the Magi still delivered gifts to us on the morning of the Epiphany.
I think it might look something like this:
Happy Three Kings Day, Everyone! =D
(H/T Melek. Thanks for the wonderful reminder!)
Yes… I think it would!Feliz dia de Reyes, Marta!
AWWW!!! yes! we do keep this tradition still! i love it! i think it’s just one more connection to our childhood and our “cuban-ness” (not a word but soo should be!)My daughter put out grass for “los camellos” last night (which she keeps saying should be horses but she’s the type that would even try to change biblical stories to be her way!) She got a beautiful letter with really “fancy” font (which in her mind is evidence of really old stuff!) and her iTouch got unlocked(it was locked due to unforseen circumstances involving temper and a tantrum) and she got an “uber-geek” and very hi-tech gift para ser los Reyes Magos(they are 3 kings from the times of Jesus, give them a break ya know!) She was happy and content and i get to pass on a tradition and keep the little misteries of childhood alive for her one more year!
Growing up Cuban-American,I always had Santi Clo for the big haul of toys. Later, the Reyes would always remember to bring me three small things–usually something precious, like jewelry, or a music box, or something small like that. This morning, Penny woke up to bracelets, rings, and lip gloss. She was happy. And I’ll bet the camellos liked all that monkey grass she pulled out of the yard for them:)Happy Reyes, Marti!
I think my mom still has the letter I wrote to los tres reyes in my first-grade Spanish class in a scrapbook somewhere.
The 6th of January is my Dad’s birthday. I really can’t remember anything special happening on that day. My parents had a restaurant and it ws generally “business as usual” on that day. But I have always thought of him as being one of the kings. He was a wise man who held his family close. He and my Mom worked so hard to get as many relatives out of Cuba as they could using every resource ($$$$$$) that was available to them. Every year at this time I miss him sooo much. With only a high school education, he is the smartest person I have ever met.
Ed,I know what it’s like to lose a parent and miss them terribly. I love the way that you remember and honor him. That’s as it should be.
Muchos besos!
I grew up in the states after we left Cuba when I was 18 months old. We always celebrated Christmas with Santa but in addition, also we celebrated with a few small gifts El Dia de Los Reyes on Januaray 6th. I still to this day celebrate and leave my own children a few little gifts on Jan. 6th as a tribute to my heritage and hopefully a tradition that they may pass on.
I LEFT CUBA IN 1957 AT THE AGE OF 10. I ALWAYS FOLLOWED THE TRADITION OF LOS TRES REYES MAGOS ON JANUARY 6TH WITH MY TWO BOYS ( NOW AGES 42 AND 37) AND IT WAS BEAUTIFUL TO KEEP UP WITH THE CUBAN TRADITION!!!!MY OLDEST SON KEPT UP THE TRADITION TOO WITH HIS BOYS ( 16 AND 13) AND CONTINUES IT WITH HIS 7 YEAR OLD LITTLE GIRL……MY YOUNGEST BOY HAS AN ALMOST ONE YEAR OLD BABY AND WILL DO THE SAME.
OUR FAMILY IS BLESSED THAT OUR CHILDREN CONTINUE WITH THE CUBANIA, HOPEFULLY MY GRANDKIDS WILL DO THE SAME.
FELIZ DIA DE LOZ REYES MAGOS TO ALL!!!!!
HAPPY 2015!!!!!!
Not as a child, parents way to stressed when we arrived to US. I have established the tradition in my house now. I love it!