Spanish Students Learn About "El Día de los Reyes" (The Epiphany)

The Day of the Kings, El Día de los Reyes, is celebrated on January 6^th, twelve days after Christmas. It is often viewed as the last day of the Christmas season (the end of the 12 days of Christmas).

This is a Christian holiday that celebrates the Biblical story of the Three Kings, also known as the Three Wise Men, who followed the bright star of Bethlehem to bring gifts to the Christ child.

In the story of the Bible the Three Kings, named Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar, brought gifts to the new baby. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  El Día de los Reyes is also known as The Epiphany. In Mexico and in South America it is celebrated by days of activities, including parades and caroling, leading up to the actual day.

Frankincense and myrrh are both aromatic resins that are collected to make perfume and incense. A resin is simply dried tree sap.  Both of these trees are found in eastern Africa, mostly Somalia and in Southern Arabia. Myrrh is a reddish colored resin with an oily consistency and a bitter taste. Frankincense has a yellow color and has a sweet taste.