Happy Three Kings Day!

Okay, so we aren't hispanic but we borrowed their holiday. Here is what the web says about it:

What is Three Kings Day?

This is a Christian holiday that celebrates the Biblical story of the three kings who followed a bright star of Bethlehem to bring gifts to the Christ child.

In the story of the Bible the three kings, named Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar, brought gifts to the new baby. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Three Kings Day is also known as The Epiphany. In Spanish and in South America it is referred to as- El Día de los Reyes.

The night before:

On the night before three kings day, traditionally, there are prayers, blessed dried herbs would be burnt, and the aroma would fill the house with wonderful smells. Doorways are sprinkled with holy water and in some homes the head of the house would write with chalk above the doors C+M+B (the three kings names) and the year.
Children would put their shoes out and wake up early the next morning in hopes of finding gifts in their shoes. The aspect of shoes is similar to the American tradition of leaving cookies for Santa.


Here are the shoes (but the kids only get half price after Christmas candy!)

Jessica reading about the Magi from Matthew 2.









For us, this is also the day between my mom's bd and my birthday, so easy to remember.

I hope to work in some Haitian holiday customs in the coming year. Any ideas???