If you are Puerto Rican then you know we celebrate Los Reyes. After Christmas put a Reyes statue as a centerpiece on your dinning room table so the kids know - it's no over yet "Faltan Los Reyes." Celebrate it Puerto Rican style, that is....have the kids cut grass or greenery on January 5th and put it in a box under their bed. Put a small gift from Los Reyes in the box once they fall asleep - and don't forget to throw out the grass. Have a special and festive Día De Reyes meal that day. Take pictures of your children with their boxes. After dinner make it a tradition to sing a Reyes song. Here is a classic one usually sang.
"Los tres Santos Reyes, los tres y los tres, los tres Santos Reyes, los tres y los tres, Los saludaremos con divina fe, los saludaremos con divina fe. Los tres santos Reyes, yo los sé contar, Los tres santos Reyes, yo los sé contar, Gaspar y Melchor y el Rey Baltazar. Gaspar y Melchor y el Rey Baltazar. Llegan con cautela, la Estrella los guía Llegan con cautela, la Estrella los guía se sientes sus pasos, en la noche fría se sientes sus pasos, en la noche fría Señores, adiós . . . doy la despedida al corazón santo, dulce de María Señores, adiós . . . doy la despedida al corazón santo, dulce de María Señores adiós porque ya nos vamos Señores adiós porque ya nos vamos todos los presentes pasen feliz año todos los presentes pasen feliz año."
Los Reyes arrive before dawn on January 6th. For centuries Puerto Rican children have celebrated Los Reyes in the same manner as their grandparents did when they were children. January 6 is called Epiphany and is traditionally the day in which the Magi arrived bearing gifts for the Christ child. Even to this day in Hispanic countries throughout the world, January 6 is the day that children receive their Christmas gifts, in commemoration of the Magi's visit.
Keep it Funky, Keep it Fresh, and I'll catch you on the Flipside!
~S~
