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Known also as the Epiphany,
the day is just as important as
Christmas in México, Puerto Rico,
Spain and many other Latin
American countries, but Latinos in the United States also
continue to strongly hold onto the tradition.
El Día de los Reyes Magos
is a Christian holiday that celebrates when the wise men,
bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, visited the baby
Jesús.
Latino families in the United States are celebrating the Latino
tradition within their homes, churches and other organizations
in hopes of preserving their culture.
Victoria Acosta,
62, her husband and their seven-year-old grandson, have been
living in the United States for four years. Acosta said she
works hard to keep the holiday tradition, even though she has
migrated to a country that does not celebrate it.
It becomes even more crucial to retain the tradition because the
boy’s mother lives far away from him – still on the island, she
said. “It’s a beautiful tradition,” that should be preserved,
Acosta said.
And they have done just that.
Acosta, her husband, and grandson prepare for the arrival of the
three wise men every Jan. 5.
The Puerto Rican couple of
Lorain place water and spread grass for the kings’ camels
throughout the hallways of their home and in the room of their
seven-year-old grandson. Under the boy’s bed, the family places
a box full of grass for the camels. He awakes the next day to
unwrap toys now in place of the grass.
Children from some Latino countries receive gifts on that day
instead of Christmas, while others receive gifts on both.
Not only did Acosta’s grandson receive gifts on both days but
also on Sunday, Jan. 3, when they attended Lorain’s Sacred
Heart Chapel’s Three Kings Day celebration.
Children reenacted the biblical story of the wise men in a play,
received gifts provided by other members of the church, and even
played with a piñata.
“My grandson received a Batman figure on Sunday and he was so
happy,” Acosta said.
But the Three Kings Day festivities are not over.
La Sagrada Familia
Parish,
at 7719 Detroit Avenue, in Cleveland,
within the Hall de Parroquia, will have a “Baile de Reyes” or
“King’s Dance,” Jan.9, 2010 from 7p.m. Until 1 a.m. Musical
guests include Toño Rivera y Sus Latinos, El Trovador – Rubén
Delgado Jr with el D.J. Manny, and Isla del Encanto folkloric
dance group. Costs are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. For
more information, contact them at (216)
631-6817.
In Toledo, Club Taino hosts a Three Kings Day Celebration
on Jan. 9, 2010 at Mi Hacienda
Restaurant, at 3302 Glanzman
Road. Dinner will be served at 7 to 9p.m. and the dance
runs from 10 p.m. to 2a.m. Cost is $10 for adults, Children
under 10 are free. Three Kings
will bear gifts for the children. Reserve your spot with María
González at (419) 385-1150.
In Detroit, a Three Kings Day Celebration on Jan. 6, 2010 at
Holy Redeemer Church, Salón Azul, 1721 Junction Street, starting
at 6p.m., with free admission.
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