Christmas still going in Hispanic community

For most of us, Christmas is long gone by now. But people from Latin American countries are still celebrating.

January 6 is Three Kings Day. For Latin children, it’s one of the most important days of the Christmas season. It’s the 12th day of Christmas, the day three kings brought gifts to baby Jesus.

In many Latin American countries it’s also the day children get their Christmas gifts.

“I think they’re going to bring me a bike, which I really wanted,” said Maria Patino Sanchez, a Wilmington resident who was born in Mexico. On Sunday she attended Spanish language mass at St. Mary Chruch in Wilmington–where the Three Kings made an appearance.

“In the United States the Epiphany or the feast of the three kings is not that big of a deal,” said St. Mary Priest Father Bob Kus. “In many of the Latin American countries this feast is very special because it is the Three Kings who bring the children presents.”

“I don’t believe in Santa Claus,” said Maria. “I just actually believe in the Three Kings.”

Many Latin American kids don’t believe in leaving milk and cookies out either.

“We left a little letter in our shoes, and the shoes were in the bed and we found the presents that day,” said Victoria Howard, the Director of Hispanic Ministry at St. Mary who is originally from Mexico.

That’s not to say they don’t believe in sweets. Rosca de Reyes is the traditional–and popular– holiday snack.

“It’s like kind of mardi gras bread,” said Howard.

“We want kids to keep this tradition,” she added. “We want our kids to know and keep our latin traditions.”

Different countries have different traditions for Three Kings Day. In Puerto Rico, it’s customary for children to put a box filled with grass or hay under their beds. The hay is for the Kings’ camels, so the kings will be generous with their gifts.