Los Tres Reyes Magos… For some Latino children, the Holidays are not yet over and today is the happiest day of the season since they receive the visit of The Magi, The Three Wise Men: Los Reyes Magos.  This tradition, strong in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain and Latin American countries, marks the Epiphany—the day when the Magi brought gifts to baby Jesus.

For kids, it goes something like this: collect grass from your yard and put it in a shoe box (or a shoe), leave it under the bed, go to bed early, BE GOOD ALL YEAR, and wake up to a shoe box full of toys! And to top it all off, have a bite of the sweet rosca de reyes.

(photo from Univision.com)
 

In the United States, families who observe this tradition, work hard to preserve it.  Many cities hold events and festivities to mark this special occasion.  Read on for a sample of happenings in San Antonio, New York and other cities. 

• KENS TV (San Antonio): Retailers hope shoppers cash-in on Three Kings Day deals Christmas has come and gone, but Josephina Montelongo is still shopping for her five grandchildren. She says what Santa Claus did not bring the children hope get from the three kings. In Mexico and other parts of Latin America Dia de los…
• CBS 2 (New York) Noted Artists To Lead NYC’s 3 Kings Day Parade  NEW YORK (AP) ― A Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, a Broadway composer and an influential artist will lead New York City’s festive Three Kings Day Parade on Wednesday. Thousands of children are expected to march through Manhattan’s East…

In Hispanic media, Univision’s morning show “Despierta America” did a nice feature on the celebration in Mexico in addition to other coverage, and below is the front page of New York’s El Diario La Prensa:
  

While the imagery of the tradition is not present in most public places and Holiday decorations have already been stashed away, those who celebrate the Holiday still may have their Christmas trees up and more importantly, the Nativity set.  I for one hope my kids preserve this tradition and Holiday for generations to come.

PS: Kudos to LATISM for the 3-King Day Holiday Toy Drive… Thanks for thinking of the importance of Melchor, Gaspar and Baltazar and for bringing smiles to these kids!

Do you celebrate the Holiday?  Welcome your anecdotes and notes!