El Dia de los Reyes

submitted by Rev. Vanilda Reyes de Noyes
in conjunction with our friends at the FM Justice Network

For many people in Latin America, Spain and in the United States, Christmas doesn’t end on December 25th.  The celebration of Jesus’ birth is recognized up to January 6th on Epiphany.  The day of Epiphany is said to be the day when the Magi came from the orient to bring gifts to the baby Jesus.  So for many children in Latin America, Spain and the United States, the Magi also bring them gifts on this day.    This day is traditionally known as ‘Dia de los Reyes’ or ‘Dia de los Reyes Magos.’    

The Tradition

On the night of January the 5th, children go to bed excitedly awaiting the Reyes to bring them a gift.  They place grass or hay and water under their beds for the camels.  Some children also leave gifts of candy or food.  Then, some time during the night, the three Reyes would come from the orient, across the ocean, and into their home to leave a present under their bed while the camels would eat the grass and drink the water.  The next morning, the children would check under their bed to find the grass and water were gone and a gift was left for them.  They would then run outside to search for camel hoof prints, and some would actually find them. 

My family’s way

Although I grew up in the United States, my parents still celebrated this day with us, giving us a small gift, and then we’d share in a family dinner.  They would tell us stories of their childhood and the different gifts the Reyes had brought them.  I recently asked them to share these stories with me again.

My parents shared that children would learn about the Reyes at school and at church.  The story from the Bible was read as well as other stories, and they learned that the names of the Reyes were Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar.  They remember being told that the size of your gift depended on how good or bad you behaved. 

As they reminisced about how excited they got as January 6th drew closer, they laughed as they talked about how some kids got bigger presents even though their behavior didn’t warrant such a gift.  As adults, they reflect on how in some ways, this day was a reminder about the wealth of some and the poverty of others.

My mother discovered that the Reyes were not real when my grandfather was out of work. She and her siblings were told that the Reyes would not be able to bring many gifts this year because the Reyes were having financial troubles.  My grandfather arrived home on January 5th with a big bushel of bananas.  The next morning, the gift under her bed was a banana.  She realized then that the gift was left by her father and not the Reyes.  It was at that time that she also realized that her family was poorer that year, but she laughed as she remembered how her family ate the bananas together and laughed about it later.

My father remembers when one of his friends decided that he wanted to meet the Reyes.  So, he pretended to be asleep as his father snuck into the room.  The child then grabbed the “Rey” by the hand and shouted for his brother to come.  His father shushed him and revealed himself as his father and not a Rey.  Then his friend told him the story and my father realized that it was his grandmother and mother who were leaving gifts and not the Reyes.

For me, hearing these stories brought me much joy.  As my parents were talking, I also realized how similar the stories and traditions of Dia de los Reyes has with Christmas and Saint Nicholas.  This year, our 6 year old son asked us this year if Santa was real.  I responded, “I don’t know, what do you think?”  He said, “I’m not sure but let’s leave cookies and milk out, just in case.” 

So, I urge you to do the same this January 5th.  Gather your family and read the story of the Reyes, go outside and get some grass and water for the camels and place them under your bed.  You know, just in case.