Three Kings Day - Día de Los Reyes Magos

Three Kings Day is celebrated after The Twelve Days of Christmas. Also known as Día de Los Reyes Magos or Epiphany. Observed on January 6th, but different churches recognize it on diverse dates. It evokes the biblical adoration of the Magi to the infant Jesus after his birth. 
LEER MATEO 2: Día de Los Reyes Magos

Some facts about Three Kings Day

·         The Kings gave Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh.

·         The kings brought their gifts in vessels called ciboria.

·         The kings' names were Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar.

·         In Puerto Rico, children leave hay in their shoes for the kings' camels.      

·         In Spain, children leave letters to the kings.

·         In Mexico and some Hispanic communities often serve Rosca de Reyes. 

Kids Activities for Three Kings Day

1. Coloring Three Kings Cards: Visit the link to print the design

http://www.coloring-pages-kids.com/religious/index.php

2. Create your own Three Kings Crown and Decorate.

Visit lInk for details:

http://indulgy.com/post/cTeFY2DXM2/paper-plate-crown-craft-would-be-cute-to-mak

3. Bake a Three King Cake with your kids. It's a fun activity!
SUPER Easy King Cake Recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/60241/super-easy-mardi-gras-king-cake/

2. Read a good book about Three King's Day.

Review & Activity: http://luzdelmes.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-review-and-activity-of-las.html

Happy Three Kings Day!

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Celebration of Cultural Heritage and Traditional Values.

Kwanzaa Candle and traditional food

Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration held in the United States and in other nations of the Western African diaspora. 

This celebration honors African heritage in African-American culture. This year Kwanzaa begins on December 26th and ends on January 1^st with the feast and gift-giving.

According to history, Kwanzaa has seven core principles called Nguzo Saba.

It was created by Maulana Karenga.  The first Kwanzaa celebration was at the end of 1966 beginning 1967. Source from Official Kwanza website: http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/index.shtml

For Tradition,  values and more visit: http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/kwanzaa.shtml

Activity for Kids: Coloring Pages:

http://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages/print/kwanzaa-coloring-page/

Kwanzaa Songs: https://youtu.be/ZQneok5d0xA

Según la historia Kwanzaa tiene siete principios básicos llamados Nguzo Saba. Fue creado por Maulana Karenga. La celebración dura ocho días y empieza el 26 de Diciembre y finaliza el Primero de Enero.

Happy Kwanzaa!

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Saint Nicholas Day (Mikuláš) - Dec. 6

Postcard, Hungary - Rosenthal Collection

St. Nicholas tradition is based on a 4th century Greek Bishop of Myra, named Nicholas who helped the poor.  Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nikolaos the Wonderworker. 

One tale mentioned, the bishop left a gift of money on the windowsill, inside a red bag, of three poor girls to enable them to get married. Probably the red stockings tradition is based on this story.

Among the Greeks and Italians he is considered the patron saint, protector of the Navy and Sailor men and his feast is celebrated on December 6^th.  Happy Agios Nikolaos Day!

Basilica di San Nicola in Bari, Italy where most of the relics of St. Nicholas are kept today.

My Hungarian uncle told us a fascinating tradition about St. Nicholas:

According to tradition, the festivity falls on the eve of St. Nicholas Day on December 5th.  Parents bring their children to the Old Town Square where they can witness the tradition or in small villages the three character visit the houses. The characters in costumes are:

     1.   St. Nicholas (Mikuláš) who looks like Santa Claus.

     2.    The Angel (anděl) who represents the Good.

     3.    The Devil (čert) representing the Evil.

The tradition said, St. Nicholas asks children if they were good that year. Most kids say yes and sing a song or poem. They are rewarded with sweets or other treats, handed out by the Angel. If the kid said NO, the Devil has a sack of potatoes or coal instead of candy, but it does not really happen.

Which sack would you like to receive?

Have a joyful and happy tradition!

Author website: www.luzdelmes.com