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Gifts presented to the new Messiah.

“The second visitors of note were identified as kings, or Zoroastrian mages, and seen as representatives of all Gentiles (non-Jewish). These men were the first to bring to the attention of Herod the possible threat posed by Jesus, the newest member of the dynastic lineage of David, Solomon, and Hezekiah. The Gospel of Matthew mentions them but not by name, and they are barely described. The Magi are mysterious; it is assumed in many explicatory narratives that there were three in number, based on the three gifts that they present to the baby Jesus: frankincense, gold, and myrrh. Frankincense is an aromatic resin derived from African shrubbery, used in religious ceremonies and a symbol of Christ’s divinity. Gold has been a symbol of royalty for centuries. Myrrh, from southern Arabia, is a balm to relieve aches and pain, used to anoint corpses, and is a symbol of Christ’s eventual Passion and death.”

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“Los Reyes Magos (The Three Kings) is a Spanish, Christian drama that highlights the New Testament's narrative of the three Magi and their journey to locate the newborn Jesus Christ and bring gifts to him. It has been performed in the southwestern part of the United States as well as in numerous Latin American countries as part of what is known as the Catholic missionary theater. The Spanish missionaries brought these and other Christian plays related to the Christmas and Easter theater performance cycles to indoctrinate the Indigenous populations into the Catholic faith. The Los Reyes Magos drama is one of numerous popular autos sacramentales, one-act plays or monologues that address topics related to the Christian faith and are based on biblical narratives. In addition to being one of the most popular autos, the oldest version of the play, dating back to the twelfth century, is also the oldest extant Spanish play script. Since then, the drama has been adapted numerous times to suit the needs of various cultures, and new versions of the play are still written and performed annually today during the Christmas season.

The general narrative of Los Reyes Magos features four specific scenes. In the first scene the three magi, named Melchor, Gaspar, and Balthazar each notice a bright star shining in the sky announcing the birth of the New Messiah, the Baby Jesus. The three kings watch for the repeated appearance of the star before coming together and agreeing to begin their journey to follow it. Scene two reveals the three kings on their journey and their first encounter with the Roman king, Herod, who demands to know where the Baby Jesus has been born. Herod claims a desire to pay the newborn Baby Jesus a respectful visit, but the audience learns that he truly intends to murder the Infant King. In numerous dramatic adaptations of the narrative, Herod is a comic villain, constantly exposing his greed and arrogance for the audience's delight. In later variations, Herod has a court jester who constantly mocks the king for his ignorance and disrespect of the Baby Jesus. Scene three leads the Magi to the stable where the Baby Christ resides with Mary and Joseph. The three kings pay their respect to the Newborn Messiah and they each recognize that Herod only wishes to learn of the Newborn Baby's location to murder him. The final scene highlights the Magi's escape from Herod and his soldiers. This final scene is oftentimes an imposing spectacle, with an intricately choreographed staged combat.

As mentioned above, Los Reyes Magos is the oldest extant Spanish text. A codex dating back to the twelfth century was found in Toledo's Cathedral in Spain. From this document, scholars have learned that the work was one of many mystery plays staged as an affirmation of townspeople's faith in the church. As Spain began to colonize the Western Hemisphere, they brought the mystery plays with them as a means of introducing the Christian faith to the Indigenous population. In addition to Los Reyes Magos, the Spanish colonists presented the stories of the Virgin Mary, the shepherds and the Virgin of Guadalupe to audiences as well.”

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THE ORIGIN OF THE ROSCA DE REYES

With religious origins, the Rosca de Reyes is a traditional Mexican bread in the form of a ring, representing the Wise Men's search for the King of the Jews. It is believed that Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar, the Three Kings from the East, traveled to Jerusalem following a star. On meeting with King Herod, they asked him where the new King had been born. King Herod, frightened by these words, asked the wise men to search for the child and bring word once they had found him, so that he may also go and worship the new king. Because Herod was afraid that the child might threaten his throne, he ordered the killing of every single baby under the age of two years old. The day when the wise men found the Baby Jesus is known as Epiphany, which is precisely the event represented by the Rosca de Reyes.

The dried and candied fruits that adorn the bread symbolize the crowns of the Kings, while the traditional figurines placed inside the bread represent Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt to escape from Herod's attempts to kill their baby.The tradition of eating Rosca de Reyes actually started in France, in the 14th century. The way it was eaten was almost a ritual in itself. A slice of bread was first given to a poor person or stranger, then the next slices were intended for those serving in the King's army, and the rest of the bread was distributed among the other guests. This tradition soon expanded to other countries in Europe and later to Latin America.

In Mexico, the tradition of sharing the bread is slightly different, as little plastic babies are placed inside it to symbolize the baby Jesus. Guests then randomly take a share of the bread, and whoever finds the figurine automatically becomes his godparent. Then he or she has to make a party with tamales and atole on the following February 2.

Godparents usually dress up a statue of Jesus using traditional costumes. Sometimes they dress him as Saint Francis of Assisi or the Holy Child of Atocha and other typical depictions of Jesus.February 2 is a very important day, when many Christians celebrate the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin, also known as the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. This feast also honors Our Lady of Candelaria, a depiction of the Virgin Mary, and includes the blessing of water and candles. Far more than a quaint tradition, the Rosca de Reyes can help believers remember that God can turn darkness and bitterness into light and sweetness!

https://www.bestday.com/Editorial/Rosca-de-Reyes/

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Dia de la Candelaria (Tamales Day!)

In Mexico, every 2nd February families and communities get together for a delicious tamales feast, and they dress up their image of Niño Dios (Child Christ) with brand new clothes and take it to the church to be blessed. In many places this celebration also includes parades.

“Día de la candelaria” is known to be the day we are all allowed to eat as much tamales as possible, but do you know why? This celebration has mixed roots in pre-Hispanic traditions and Catholic beliefs.

The tamales have to be cooked or provided by one person (or more) selected one month before, on the 6th of January, when another tradition takes place. Día de Reyes or King’s Day, is celebrated in remembrance of the biblical history of three Kings visiting baby Jesus. In this festivity children receive gifts as a symbol of the gifts the Kings gave to Jesus, families eat together Rosca de Reyes, a sweet and special bread containing hidden figurines. Whoever gets this figurines in their slice of bread have to host the Dia de la Candelaria feast.

The origins of the Día de la Candelaria firstly have a religious meaning; it is the day of the presentation of Christ to the temple. The Jewish law said that babies had to be taken to the temple after 40 days because women were considered to be unclean until this period had passed since giving birth. So on 2nd February (40 days after Christmas) Mary took Jesus to the temple along with candles or “Candelas” hence the name “Candelaria”, and it is the day of the purification of the Virgin and the presentation of the Lord. Even though this is a Catholic festivity, Mexico is the only religious country celebrating it by taking images of baby Jesus to the temples.

Pre-Hispanic Mexicans had also a ceremony in the beginning of February and it is believed that Spanish evangelisers used this on their benefit to convert them to the Catholic faith, as it was done with other native traditions. Aztecs had the tradition of paying a tribute to their Rain God “Tlaloc” and the “Tlaloques”(clouds), to pray for rain for their agricultural activities. This was done by fancy dressing children, taking them to the Tlaloc Hill and making them cry as an augury of water abundance. Since this tradition was related to children, it was probably easier for Catholic Priest to link it to their religious celebration.

Long before the arrival of the Spanish, Mexican natives, and people in the Meso-American region consumed tamales, especially in agricultural celebrations.

So now you know a little more about Mexican culture and traditions (and are probably hungry from reading about rosca de reyes and tamales). If you’d like to join the party find your nearest Mexican restaurant and eat as much tamales as you can! Or if you like cooking and can get the ingredients, here is a link to show you how it is done.

Feliz Día de la Candelaria!

originshttps://mexicansocietyuob.wordpress.com/2013/02/02/dia-de-la-candelaria-tamales-day/

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