Celebrating Los Reyes

In Mexico, a mostly Catholic country, January 6^th is a day celebrated as “Día de los Reyes Magos”, or Three Kings Day.  It is the twelfth day of Christmas and thereby recognized as the day that the three kings arrived to see Baby Jesus and bring him gifts.  For this reason, many children in Mexico receive their Christmas gifts when also on January 6^th.   

Traditionally, families will also get together and enjoy a special ring of sweet bread called a “Rosca de Reyes”.   This sweet bread is decorated with candied fruit and may be filled with cream cheese.  It also contains a few white plastic baby figurines that are hidden inside.  As you cut your slice of Rosca and eat it, you may find a figurine in your piece.  If you do, you have the honor of holding a party during the first week of February.  In our case, we found three figurines in our Rosca.  The first was found by Onkel Klaus, the second by Juliana, and the last by Mom.  We will have to decide whether to hold the party in Michigan or in Germany (or simply hold two at different times.