It’s not easy to explain the magic that surrounds this night in Spain: the night of January 5th. Tonight, the Three Wise Men visit every home to bring gifts for the children. In fact, Their Majesties are now riding their camels, parading through the streets, and greeting the children of every Spanish town—hence the magic, among other things.

Kids don’t want to miss it. It’s their chance to meet the Three Magical Kings (that’s what we call them—sorry, but "wise" falls short compared to "magical") in person, which somehow assures them that the Kings are real and that there will be gifts under their trees tomorrow.

I’ve attended this event several times, and despite the crowds, the hustle and bustle, and the stomps I’ve endured (and maybe given), it’s worth it just to see the children’s faces—a sweet mixture of wonder, eagerness, and happiness. It’s quite a spectacle.

Tonight, it’s easy to put children to bed. They head straight to their rooms in their pajamas without complaining (I even used to place my shoes neatly by my bed to pretend I’d been good when I was little.) Still, many of them won’t be able to fall asleep from all the excitement.

The fun continues on the morning of January 6, when they wake their parents so early that even the roosters are still asleep. The they open their presents, tossing wrapping paper and cardboard boxes everywhere. But the children’s joy is also the parents’ joy, and they’ll do whatever it takes to make this the most magical day of the year.

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Other not-so-magical facts, according to this interesting, party-pooper article:

https://hispanophone.ca/2024/01/04/los-tres-reyes-magos/

• It’s not certain whether the Three Wise Men were three or twelve, they weren’t kings, and they weren’t magical either. They were men of science and priests (What? I don’t buy it!)

• Before the fifteenth century, Balthazar was white. (Could you repeat that, please? Are you sure?)

• And the last fact is no less shocking: The Three Wise Men are pushing up daisies in Cologne, Germany. (Didn’t you just say they were probably twelve? Anyway, than can't be true. I just saw them at the parade myself)

Picture by Hispanophone.ca