Nochebuena

Nochebuena

Tonight is the night of the Three kings -Nochebuena! Celebrated every January 6th it is the celebration for many Hispanic cultures( and African and Phillipino) of the Epiphany. The traditions very slightly from culture to culture but in general children leave grass in their shoes and water under their bed( for the camel, elephants, and or horses the magi will be riding). In exchange the 3 Magi leave a gift- typically something small- candy or small toys.

In our house we celebrate this night each year by reading the story " A Doll for Navidades"

The kids fill their shoes with grass that they have collected by flashlight in the evening for the camels...

and leave water and notes under their beds...

For some reason this holiday although not as grand in our family as Christmas, still retains some magic for me. Is it because it seems more plausible for 3 men on animals to deliver reasonable gifts than it does for a large jolly elf  in a sleigh with 8 reindeer ( one with a light bulb nose), and a factory of elves delivering billions of toys? Maybe. 

Or maybe it is because it has not lost it's charm due to commercialism. I don't know of any children asking the 3 Magi for ipods or Wii's.

 Maybe it is because I am not stressed out trying to keep up with the magical grandness of Mr. Clause for my children. 

But I think that the reason it is still so beautiful is because it retains for me what Christmas is truly about- the announcement to the world of my Savior, our Savior. You see the Christmas story is still alive in the 3 Magi for they are indeed part of it. Peace on earth? - for tonight- yes !

Nochebuena! ( translation: Good Night)