EPIPHANY – Three Kings Day

Three Kings Day or Epiphany – in Spanish, “Día de Los Reyes” – is celebrated by Roman Catholics on Jan. 6, as the culmination of the 12 days of Christmas. Although the birth of Jesus is celebrated on Christmas Day, the three Kings didn’t actually reach him until twelve days later—which is why Three Kings Day is observed on the 12th day of Christmas. 

The three kings, or the “wise men” or “Magi” followed a star to Bethlehem to pay homage to the Christ child. The Gospel account of Matthew says a bright star led them from the east until it stopped “over the place where the child was,” and “upon entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother” (Matthew 1:24). They presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The gifts are ordinary offerings given to a king, gold for its value, frankincense as a perfume, and myrrh as an anointing oil. The gifts also hold spiritual meaning: Gold has represented wealth and power, symbolizing Christ’s royal status as King of the Jews. Frankincense, a type of incense and perfume, represented His divinity and identity as the Son of God. Myrrh, an anointing oil and embalming fluid, referred to Jesus’ mortality.

Día de Los Reyes is celebrated in Spanish-speaking countries like Mexico and Spain in addition to other countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, France, Poland, and by some people in the United States, especially Puerto Rico. Popular traditions during the holiday include gift-giving, large feasts, and indulging in “Rosca de Reyes”, a special bread with fruit and sugar that comes in the shape of a crown. Candied figs and cherries symbolize the crown jewels. Similar to stockings at Christmas, many children leave out their shoes the night before for the wise men to leave candies and toys in. And like the tradition of leaving cookies and milk for Santa, children will pick grass or hay and leave water for the camels to eat and drink.

During his 2023 homily on the Epiphany, Pope Francis shared a new perspective on the Magi. He explained that, while they are best known for the gifts that they receive: 

• The gift of call–God calling them. 

• The gift of discernment–being able to ignore Herod and choose God’s way. 

• The gift of surprise–meeting God in a humble manger.

Pope Francis suggests these are calls that we all receive:

“Brothers and sisters, we are all called — the first gift: the call — by Jesus; we can all discern — the second gift: discernment — discern his presence; we can all experience his surprises — the third gift: the surprise,” he said.