The
Three Kings
The best-loved
tradition among kids during Spanish Christmas is the Three Kings. Santa
Claus is quite well-known, and he delivers toys and presents, but the
real stars are the Three Kings. These Three Kings are the ones who followed
a star to meet the new King of Kings and offered him three presents:
gold, frankincense and myrrh to the newborn child in Belén
(Bethelem).
When December
comes, in Spain and Latin America all the boys and girls start to write
their letter to the Three Kings or to their favourite King: Melchor,
Gaspar or Baltasar. They write about the things they'd like to receive
on the morning of the 6th of January, and also about their behaviour
during the year.
Their Majesties
travel by camel and due to the fact that they come from the East, they
take a long time to arrive in Spain. When they are here, they visit
all the cities and villages, and hear the kids' requests, after
a spectacular parade. On the night of the 5th, the kids put their shoes
in front of the door before going to bed so that the Kings will know
how many children live there. They also put out something to eat and
drink Melchor, Gaspar, and Baltasar, and water and grass for their camels
(true, they can last a month or more without drinking water, but
that night they have a lot of work to do, so they need extra water
and food).
On the morning of the 6th, people find their presents inside and outside
the shoes (it's very unusual for their Majesties bring coal-carbones-because
no child really behaves so badly, and many people say it's not true
that naughty girls and boys get only coal and no toys). The food
and drink has gone from the plates and glasses, and the camels have
quenched their thirst. The children start playing with their toys, waiting
for the next 5th of January to come around.
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SPANISH NAMES
