For those of us with Spanish heritage, Santa Claus is not the guy. The great celebration we honor is January 6th, the day that three magi that traveled from afar to gift baby Jesus with gold, incense and myrrh.
Everywhere from Spain to Latin American countries, the Three Kings are honored with utmost respect and admiration.
As a child, my father would make a ceremony of taking us to cut grass and place it in a show box under our beds for the Three Kings’ camels. In the morning, we would get three gifts: one from each of the kings Melchor, Gaspar and Baltazar.
Mom and day would make sure to make a grass trail from our rooms, through the hall, to our home’s exit to corroborate that the camels had indeed eaten some of the food we left for them.
Today, Puerto RIcans hold celebrations called “Promesas de Reyes” —Promises of the Three Kings. They are very moving. Even if you do not understand Spanish, I urge you to listen to it. Much like opera, you can feel the sentiment that the music conveys:
One of my favorite Christmas/Three Kings Day songs reminiscent of the Drummer Boy, is El Villancico Yaucano by Amaury Veray. A humble Puerto Rican boy visits Jesus in the manger and sings to baby Jesus:
I would like to kiss you,
But Saint Joseph won’t let me
He says I’ll make you cry.
Will you still let me?
…
He was born in a manger,
full of spiders,
the souls’ redentor…
I am a poor Yaucano…
and I bring my God child
a kikiriki rooster…
…
I am from the town that grows coffee,
In case you want two bags,
I will also bring them for you…
To the newborn, everyone offers something
Since I do not own anything,
I offer him my heart.
//
I hope that instead of myrr, gold and incense, the three Kings bring us freedom, peace and justice to all targeted individuals.
Blessings to all.
Feliz Día de Reyes! Bendiciones!!
I am Mexican, born & raised in Calif. I "know the 3 Kings". I have been a TI for 30+ years. As a TI, I have been through a lot.. I have tried to make myself cry, just to experience some kind of release. Since I am alone, I've just had to make myself strong to cope with life, making crying impossible. But guess what? Today I went to church and just being in front of the life size Nativity Scene, I felt the Holy Spirit come upon me and I just started crying! The best part, they were happy tears!
Now with your message Ana, I started crying again.. happy tears! First for my immense Love for my heavenly Father, then for the gratitude for the memories that my culture and upbringing has provided me.
Thank you Ana.. Bendiciones!
Oh that was so beautiful! Thank you for sharing that. Little glimpses of beauty like that are something I wouldn't have appreciated as much before my targeting. Things look somehow richer now in spite of the suffering.