Epiphany

While most of the world has already begun packing up the Christmas ornamanets, throwing out the tree,and finding a place for all of their gifts, Spaniards are continuing the celebration!  January 6, Three King's Day, is the long awaited day in which the three Kings bring their gifts.  On January 5, children go to a parade where they see the three kings arrive to their city, and take the opportunity to ask them for gifts.  Later, before going to bed, children leave their shoes out in a visible spot in the house or on their balcony and go to bed hoping that when they wake up they will find gifts left by Mechior, Gaspar, and Balthasar.  For breakfast or after lunch, families often have the typical dessert of the day, the "Roscon de los Reyes" a large ring shaped cake that is decorated with candided fruits, symbolic of the emerals and rubies that adorned the robes of the three Kings.  Somewhere inside the cake there is a surprise, and the person to find it will be crowned King or Queen of the house for the reminder of the day.  They will also have good luck through the coming year. 

Three Kings Day is also known as, The Epiphany, which celebrates the Biblical story of the three kings or wise men, who followed the bright star of Bethelehem to bring gifts to the Christ child.  In Spain and in South America it is referred to as El Dia de los Reyes and is celeberated by days of activities, including parades and caroling.  It is often viewed as the last day of the Christmas season - the end of the twelve days of Chrismas.