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What is the story behind the Three Kings?
According to the Biblical story, the Three Kings (also called wise men or magi) – named Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar – followed the Star of Bethlehem to find the birth place of Baby Jesus. They presented the baby with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Why are the three kings important in Spain?
But in Spain, the Feast of the Epiphany or the Three Kings’ Day is a celebration of the adoration of the baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men, also known as the Magi, or the Three Kings. Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar travelled to present baby Jesus with three symbolic gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Why did the Three Kings bring gifts?
The three gifts had a spiritual meaning: gold as a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of deity, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death. Sometimes this is described more generally as gold symbolizing virtue, frankincense symbolizing prayer, and myrrh symbolizing suffering.
Why does Latin America celebrate Three Kings Day?
Three Kings Day is celebrated throughout Latin America and Spain as an occasion for gift-giving! Christians celebrate this day as the Epiphany – the day the three wise men found the newborn Jesus Christ after following a star through the desert for 12 days after his birth.
Is Reyes Magos real?
In Spain, Santa Claus isn’t the star of the show when the holiday season rolls around. Instead, it’s the Three Wise Men—or los reyes magos—who take center stage during the winter holidays. They’re the ones who bring Spanish children their gifts the night before Three Kings Day in January.
What does gold frankincense myrrh represent?
Myrrh being commonly used as an anointing oil, frankincense as a perfume, and gold as a valuable. The three gifts had a spiritual meaning: gold as a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of deity, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death.
When does the Three Kings celebration take place?
Three Kings’ Day Celebration in the Hispanic Culture The Three Kings’ Day, also known as the Feast Of The Epiphany, is a Christian festivity that takes place on January 6 and celebrates the birth of Jesus. According to tradition, The Three Wise Men (or Three Kings) arrive in Bethlehem from the Far East to meet the newborn King of the Jews.
Who are the Three Wise Men on Three Kings Day?
Three Kings Day or the Feast of Epiphany is the final celebration with which the 12 days of Christmas end on January 6. It is believed that on this day, the three wise men — Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar — presented baby Jesus with symbolic gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrhh.
Why did they call the three kings kings?
About 200 AD, nonbiblical sources started calling them kings, perhaps because of a prophecy in Psalm 72:11: “May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him.” (NIV) Because they followed a star, they may have been royal astronomers, advisers to kings.
Why did the Three Kings Go to Bethlehem?
The Three Kings were among the wisest men of their time. Discovering that the Messiah was to be born, they organized an expedition to find him, following a star that led them to Bethlehem. Despite their culture and religion in a foreign land, they accepted Jesus as their Savior .