This is the origin of the tradition of the Three Wise Men and the gifts

In Mexico and Spain the celebrations for the Royal day unites families and friends who witness parades in Mexican cities; and the famous Epiphany processions in the aforementioned European country.

The children of these two countries receive their gifts during these celebrations.

The day of kings, every January 6“Together with the Easter festivities, it is the oldest festival in the Western world,” historian Francisco José Gómez told the Voice of America.

It is this that concludes the Christmas festivities, with some exceptions, such as in Venezuela, where some regions extend them until February 2, the day of the Virgin of Candelaria.

Since ancient times “it has been said the Three Wise Men were three and that their names were Melchor, Gaspar, and Baltasar, AciPrensa remembered.

According to the media, a famous mosaic was found in Ravenna (Italy) and dated to the 6th century AD. C. confirms the traditional use of these three names, which appear clearly there.

It was Melchior, Gaspar and Baltasar who “found the Messiah lying in a lowly manger, next to Mary, his mother and Saint Joseph. They brought him gifts: gold for his kingship, frankincense for his divinity, and myrrh for his humanity.”

In the Voice of America They explained that “there is evidence of the presence of the figure of the Three Wise Men in the second century AD, “in some writings of the Holy Fathers, who already tell some anecdotes.”

As to why there are “few references to earlier times,” the historian told them, “The early Christians did not celebrate Christmas because they were convinced that Christ would come.”

Epiphany Day: Why is it celebrated on January 6?

The times or epochs of the Three Wise Men

The aforementioned media pointed out that it should not be forgotten that the figures of the Three Wise Men are identified with all stages of life, with the idea that it does not matter how old a person is to identify Jesus as the Messiah.

“Melchior is old, Gaspar is mature and Baltasar is young, which means that any age is good to recognize Jesus as the Messiah,” Gómez explained, gathering data from the Bible.

The celebration of Epiphany began in the East and then spread to Rome, Gaul and other areas of Christian influence, until they became ‘fundamental figures for Christianity’.

Kings or astronomers

The existence of these kings is questioned by some. And National Geographic noted: “The Gospel tells that some wise men of the East were led by a star to worship the newborn king of the Jews.”

Were they astronomers, wise men? This was maintained by the Church for years

The ‘magicians of the East’ appear well defined in the apocryphal Gospels, where ‘magician’ is to be interpreted as synonymous with astrologer.

How many wise men actually went to Jesus’ manger?

The publication emphasized that “the Three Wise Men as we know them today have their origins in a long medieval tradition that “baptized” them with the names Melchior, Gaspar and Baltasar.” They confirmed what AciPrensa said about the three names first appearing in a famous 6th century mosaic in Ravenna, Italy.

What does Rosca de Reyes mean?

The gifts of the Three Wise Men

A legend that would support this beautiful tradition of receiving gifts from the kings is explained in National Geographic: “Two friends of the Child Jesus, sad to see him always barefoot because of the poverty of his family, wanted to give him their own shoes to give; but since they were used, in an attempt to make them look new (…) they washed them and left them on the balcony overnight to dry.

The next day the shoes miraculously appeared full of gifts and sweets as a reward for her good heart.

“The Three Wise Men had spent that night there and rewarded the kindness of the two children.”

When the next holiday approaches, leave your shoes visible in case they are included with your gift and remember this information they offer to keep the illusion alive: “You should also not forget to leave water and bread for the camels, and a glass of spirits or ‘A glass of milk and nougat, so that the weary kings may regain their strength.’ (JO)