Latinos celebrate 3 Kings Day

Marcus Atkinson

HisapnicOhio.com editor

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Friday, Jan. 6 the Ohio Hispanic Coalition in conjunction with Lifelineofohio and the Columbus Crew will host a three Kings Day celebration to commemorate the travel of three magistrates soon after the birth of Jesus Christ, or Jesus of Nazareth, and given him gifts.

During the month of Dec. the three organizations partnered in conducting a toy drive that benefited the Latino community in central Ohio and the gifts will be given out Friday and followed by dinner and the teachings of why the day is celebrated in the Catholic Church.

“It’s a unique opportunity to learn more about Hispanics,” said Francisco Terreros, who helps coach the Columbus Crew, a soccer team in Columbus.

The children receive their gifts and the entire family has a dinner with drinks and at near the end the children watch a movie explaining the history of the three wise men according to Jose Vicente, co-coordinator of the event and member of the Ohio Hispanic Coalition.

As the story goes, three magistrates now known as the three wise men, heard of a new “King of the Jews” that was born, the wise men then followed a star in the sky that never moved.  The star took them to Bethlehem where they met a baby named Jesus.  The three wise men gave the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

“We do more then give toys,” said Vicente.   “We teach the tradition of how the three kings gave gifts to the baby Jesus.  We teach the reason they receive toys and the meaning of the date.”

Vicente believes Jan 6 and all that comes with it is important to carry on the tradition and share the knowledge of their common religion.

“The children appreciate the gifts we try to get them to stay after the toys so they can learn about the tradition,” said Vicente.  “The food and drinks are donated from the families and are 100 percent home made.”

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