In Spain, and many Latin American countries Epiphany day is called El Día de los Reyes (The Day of the Kings). It is the day when a group of Magi (traditionally believed to be kings) traveled from the east to worship the baby Jesus after
following a star in the heavens (Mathew 1:12). This day is sometimes known as the Día de los Tres Reyes Magos (The day of the Three Royal Magi). In Spanish tradition, on the day
of January 6, three of the Kings: Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar,
representing Europe, Arabia, and Africa, arrived on horse, camel and
elephant, bringing respectively gold, frankincense and myrrh to the
baby Jesus. Children (and many adults) polish and leave their shoes
ready for the Kings’ presents before they go to bed on the eve of
January 6. Sweet wine, nibbles, fruit and milk are left for the Kings
and their camels. In Mexico,
it is traditional for children to leave their shoes, along with a
letter with toy requests for the Three Kings, by the family nativity
scene or by their beds. In some parts of northern Mexico the shoes and letters are left under the Christmas tree. In the Caribbean shoe boxes are filled with grass or hay for the camels, so that the Kings will be generous with their gifts.
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