Three Kings/Ephiphany (with pictures)

As a Baptist, we really didn’t put much emphasis on the details surrounding the birth of Jesus.  As a Catholic, its all in the details from the miracle of the Virgin birth to the Star guiding the Magi.  One event that is HUGE in my church community is the Festival of the Three Kings or Ephiphany.  

As described by Wikipedia
In Spain and some Latin American countries, Epiphany day is called El Día de los Reyes (The Day of the Kings), i.e., the day when a group of Kings or Magi, as related in the second chapter of the gospel of Matthew, arrived to worship and bring three gifts to the baby Jesus after following a star in the heavens. This day is sometimes known as the Día de los Tres Reyes Magos (The day of the Three Royal Magi) or La Pascua de los Negros (Holy Day of the Black men) in Chile, although the latter is rarely heard. In Spanish tradition on January 6, three of the Kings: Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar, representing Europe, Arabia, and Africa, arrived on horse, camel and elephant, bringing respectively gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus. Children (and many adults) polish and leave their shoes ready for the Kings' presents before they go to bed on the eve of January 6. Sweet wine, nibbles, fruit and milk are left for the Kings and their camels. In Spain children typically receive presents on this day, rather than on Christmas. In Spain the Epiphany bread/cake is known as Roscón.

So...its big.  In our Parish, organizers actually get kids to write letters to the Magi, greet the Magi as the come to adore the Baby Jesus, have real animals and sing songs.  After, families eat dinner prior to the Saturday evening Vigil Mass.  I went in 2009 and now I find myself with a two year old and a 9 month old who would LOVE animals.  The Ladybug loves horses...so this would be huge for her.


We got to the church, sat down, allowed LB to run and do her thing - organized events are not her strong suit yet.  We watched the Kings proceed in, sang some songs and prayed with them, gave them letters, and watched the older children ask questions.  Then we led the Kings out and visited with their animals.

Then food!!!

Later on, LB and SB got gifts from the Magi.