The Three Kings or Three Wise Men tradition in Mexico

The Three Kings, or The Three Wise Men as most of us know these characters are the three distinguished foreigners who visited baby Jesus shortly after his birth bearing gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense. The tradition of the Three Wise Men bringing gifts to children was brought to Mexico by the Spanish "conquistadors", and now every year on the night of the 5th of January Mexican children leave a gift wish list letter in one of their shoes which they place under their Christmas tree. Or they release a helium filled balloon with their letter of gift wishes attached and go to sleep with the hope their presents from the Kings will await them under their Christmas tree the morning of January 6th.

But that is not all, this special day is more than wishing and gift receiving; families and friends gather to celebrate and share the traditional “Three Wise Men ring shaped roll”, which is a bread with sugar and dried fruits that are served along with hot chocolate. Hidden inside the ring of bread are three or more small figurines or baby Jesus mini sculptures, and each guest takes turns slicing the ring into serving portions. Whoever finds a figurine inside their bread slice has to organize a tamale party for the rest of the guests on the next February 2nd, which is the day of the Candelaria. The Three Wise Men day is a day to give and receive, to get together with those who you love, to begin the new year surrounded by our loved ones and see the day after with renewed spirits. It’s all about compromise and tradition, a celebration in memory of the Three Wise Men that followed the Star to Bethlehem.