Carlos and the Three Kings

by Lupe Dávila

photos by Paola Nogueras

As the snow falls and the cold winds blow at the end of December, I'll be on a sun-drenched beach in Puerto Rico with my family. Don’t hate me, I’m sure many of you readers spend the holidays with your loved ones, I just happen to be one of those lucky people who have family in beautiful places. But in truth, this annual journey is much more than just a holiday vacation. My husband and I began this tradition so that our son Carlos, who never met his glorious Puerto Rican maternal grandmother, could be exposed to the rich culture of his abuela. My mother always used to tell me about how, on her island, Three Kings Day, or El Día de Los Reyes, was the most important holiday for children. Even more important than Christmas Day. I couldn't fathom this then, but because of Carlos it has become the most important day of the year for me. Now. At the age of forty.

As you may already know, the significance of the 6th of January (often called Little Christmas or Epiphany) is that it was the day the Three Magi were to have arrived to give their gifts to the Christ child. It is in fact this gift giving that is emulated by the exchange of gifts at Christmas. Though we did not celebrate El Día de Los Reyes in my house when I was growing up, we always looked forward to Mom's tales of the wonderful festivities that were part of her childhood in Puerto Rico. As I grew to adulthood I became disheartened that most kids in this country think that the twelve days of Christmas are the 13 to the 25th of December when their parents are shopping for the latest Nintendo games. In the years following my mother's death I felt the need to enrich my son's holiday with her traditions: it was my way of honoring her during this time of year when I feel her absence so deeply. So, the day after Carlos' fourth Christmas, my husband and I packed him up and began what has now become an annual pilgrimage. We set out to la isla del encanto to celebrate Three Kings Day with my Puerto Rican family.

Having left Vermont and the aftermath of Christmas behind, we were surprised to discover that Christmas was still in full swing in Puerto Rico. In fact, it hadn't even reached its peak yet. We arrived at the start of the twelve days of celebration, which are full with family visits, food, music, food, dancing, food and festivals (did I mention the food?). During the holidays traditional Puerto Rican fare is rich and plentiful: Lechón Asao, or roast pig, arroz con dulce, a coconut rice dessert, and the traditional coquito—the Puerto Rican answer to eggnog made with egg, rum, coconut milk and spices. On La Vispera de Reyes, or the eve of Three Kings Day, the children take part in processionals where they dress in colorful costumes and play the parts of the kings. They go from door to door, visiting their neighbors, friends and relatives. Before going to sleep, the excited children place hay-filled boxes underneath their beds for the Magis’ horses (there are no camels in Puerto Rico). When they awake in the morning they find their offering eaten and in its place, gifts. The day is then spent visiting family, and eating of course, and in almost every town there are street festivals with lively Latin music and fantastic life-size puppets.

I always found the days after Christmas depressing. Anti-climatic. All that build up for one day. But now, every year in Puerto Rico we find ourselves basking in the warmth of my mother's family and the Caribbean sun. We eagerly join the festivities. Carlos hears tales of his feisty grandmother from aunts and uncles, cousins and friends. He eats the rich foods she was raised on, hikes the rainforest filled with the song of coquis--the tree frogs that sung her to sleep as a child--, and awaits the gifts of the magi as his grandmother did, and hers before her.

So every 5th of January, before we tuck our son into bed under the San Juan moon, we help him fill his box with grass, and look to the east for the arrival of the three Magi. I hope that the souvenir my son will take away from these trips is a sense of where he came from--of who my mother was. What better time to remind our children of the richness of their heritage--be the holiday Christmas, Chanukah, or Kwanzah--and evoke the spirits of those we have lost who were dear to us? This is the most important gift we can give our children. An understanding of what the holidays are really about: the appreciation of family and friends, the celebration of our faith, and of course, food.

In the words of my people: ¡Feliz Día de los Reyes!

Coquito Recipe

Traditionalists will have you take a fresh coconut, cut it in half and take the meat from it fresh and use egg yolks and cook it before chilling, but if you're like me, you'd rather take the easier route. And lets face it, it is just easier to find a can of Coco Lopez than a fresh coconut in Vermont.

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients in a blender, and blend at very high speed for over a minute. Chill in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours. Shake well, and serve with a sprinkle of nutmeg on top. Serve in small glasses. ¡Que rico!