Today is the most exciting day of the year for children in Mexico! It is the "Day of the Magic Kings". This tradition goes back 2,000 years and is considered more popular than the tradition of Christmas and Santa Claus in Mexico and many Latin American countries. The history and tradition has changed over time and the overall feeling and story goes something like this. There were 3 Kings named Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar. They set out on a trek using a star to find the city of Belen, where baby Jesus would be born. On their way they ran into King Herod who was bad and gave them the wrong directions on how to get to Belen. Luckily, an angel told them that King Herod was wrong and they ended up going the right way.

The preparation for this holiday feels a bit like the Christmas Eve traditions. Children are suppose to behave themselves, go to bed early, write a letter to the Magic Kings about what gifts they would like and how they are going to behave better in the coming year, and prepare food and beverage for the Kings.

Roxy Adams, a long time Sayulita resident, explained part of this tradtion to me, "To celebrate this day, we eat "Rosca", which is an oval shaped bread. In the bread there is several white plastic dolls of "Baby Jesus'". Each person cuts the bread and they hope they don't get one of the plastic baby Jesuses, because that means that they are one of the people who has to contribute with food: Tamales, Atole, Champurrado. This food will be brought on February 2nd, "Dia de la Candelaria"."

Don't be surprised if you see extra smiley faces on the faces of kids around town today, for the Magic Kings have just been by to see them with some special treats!

Dia De Los Reyes Magos

Hoy es el dia mas emocionado para los ninos en Mexico! Es el "Dia de Los Reyes Magos'. Este tradicion empieze hace 2,000 anos y esta considerado mas popular que la tradicion de Navidad en Mexico y muchos paises Latin Americanos. La historia y la tracion ha cambiado con los tiempos y el sentimiento y cuenta es asi. Habia 3 Reyes se llaman Melchor, Gaspar y Baltasar. Ellos hicieron un trek usando un estrella como guia para encontrar la ciudad de Belen, donde el bebe Jesus naceria. En camino encontraron el Rey Herod quien era malo y los dio mala direcions para llegar a Belen. Por suerte, un angel los dijo que el rey Herod era equivocado y ellos fueron por otra ruta.

La preparacion por este dia siente un poco como las tradiciones de la noche antes de navidad. Los ninos deben portarse bien, dormir temprano, escribir una carta a los Reyes Magos sobre que regalos los quieran y como los van a portarse mejor en la siguiente ano, y preparar comida y bebida para los Reyes.

Roxy Adams, un residente de Sayulita, me explicaba parte de esa tradicion, "Para celebrar este dia, nosotros comemos "Rosca", que es un pan. En el pan hay varios plasticos chiquitos del "Jesus como bebe". Cada persona corta el pan y esperan que no reciben una de los Jesus' plasticos, porque se lo reciben, necesitan contruibir comida: Tamales, Atole, Champurrado. Este comida es para el dia 2 de februaro, "Dia de la Candelaria".

No seas sorprendida si veas los ninos con caras muy felices por el pueblo hoy, los Reyes Magos han pasado con algunas cosas buenas!