Concept in Definition ABC
Miscellanea / / July 04, 2021
By Javier Navarro, in Jan. 2016
When we think of the Three Wise Men we can have two ideas: a festival or a phenomenon with a dimension historical. Both of them senses they are intimately related, since the historical facts that are narrated in the Bible are the foundation of the infantile celebration.
On January 6 the feast of the Magi is celebrated and on the calendar it is the day of the Epiphany
Is tradition It is celebrated in countries such as Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Puerto Rico and, in general, by Hispanic countries with a Catholic tradition.
It is a festivity specially oriented for the kids, who receive gifts that they have previously requested through a letter to their Majesties from the East, Melchior, Gaspar and Baltasar. During the afternoon of the day before the children attend the parade that is organized in their locality and in it they can witness a parade presided over by the Kings and their pages, who during that night will distribute in the homes all the gifts requested by the kids. As is logical, the little ones face a
experiencesingularThey are eager to wake up and see that the Kings have brought them their gifts. It is a festivity full of illusion, magic and rituals, since we must not forget that children place them in their homes food and drink so that the horses of the Kings can recharge their batteries during their night tour.The historical meaning of the celebration
According to him story Biblical, when Jesus of Nazareth was born he received the visit of some Kings from the East, who brought him gold, frankincense and myrrh as gifts. In the Bible it is said that a young boy named Bekhali found himself before a great crowd of people and could hear that some magicians who came from the East were being guided by a star with the intention of presenting themselves before the new messiah sent by God, Jesus of Nazareth.
The legend of the Magi states that they were called Galgalat, Malgalat and Sarithin, but in Christian tradition they are known by the names of Gaspar, Melchor and Baltasar.
Other historical sources speak of a fourth king, named Artaban, who could not appear before the messiah due to an accident during the long journey. In the Christian tradition there is a certain controversy about the origin of these kings and in relation to the star that guided (the official version is based on the Gospels of St. Matthew and other versions are those of the Gospels Apocrypha).
Historically, the celebration of the Magi who bring gifts to children is a custom that began in the 19th century, when children from some Catholic countries began the tradition of to write a letter to ask for your gifts.
Photos: iStock - Adyna / Rawpixel Ltd
Themes in Three Wise Men