The “Rosca de Reyes” (King Cake)

Every Jan. 6 in the Latin American tradition, not only is the liturgical feast of the Epiphany celebrated, but so is the coming of the Magi. Jokingly, in Mexico, it is said that on Dec. 12, a festival that lasts almost a month called Guadalupe-Reyes begins. That is, it begins on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec. 12) and ends on the day of the Three Kings (Jan. 6).

If you grew up in a Mexican home, Santa Claus might not be as popular as the three wise men (Los Reyes Magos). It is the wise men who bring gifts to the child Jesus. And, those gifts are now shared with all the children of the world. People dressed as the three kings can be seen on all the streets of the cities. And, jubilant children come to them to remind them of the gifts they hope to receive. They will have to put shoes next to the Christmas tree or at the entrance of the house, so that the kings put their gifts on them.

On Jan. 6, the traditional “Rosca de Reyes” also is shared. The tradition is very similar to the king cake from New Orleans. An oval cake with colored dried fruit that is eaten in commemoration of the coming of the Magi: Melchior, Gaspar and Baltazar. The shape of the cake is oval to symbolize a crown. The crown of King Herod who wants to kill the newborn Jesus. That is why it has colored dried fruit to represent the jewels of a crown. Others claim that its oval shape reminds us of the eternal nature of God without beginning nor end.

Inside the cake is the greatest treasure of all – a figure of a child, representing the child Jesus. This represents Joseph and Mary fleeing to Egypt, in other words, "hiding" the baby Jesus from the evils of King Herod. Inevitably, when you cut the cake, someone will be the lucky one to find it. Whoever does find it will have a special assignment.

All Latin American celebrations point to other celebrations. All seek to grow in community life and strengthen the bonds as a family. In this case, the person who cuts the cake, precisely in the place where the figure is hidden, will have the obligation to organize a meal with tamales on Feb. 2. The day of the Presentation of the Lord. In some way, he or she will be the godfather (mother) of the child to be presented and will have to share a meal, made of traditional tamales, to all those present.

Like all traditional and culturally symbolic celebrations, this one too is being lost. We enjoy the cake, the fun of finding the figure and the atole (sweet drink made from corn), but we forget to prayerfully remember the event.

We must be generous people and in search of Jesus like the wise men. They searched for him and walked for a long time to meet Jesus, following a sign from up high. Our life is somewhat similar. We walk in search of the Lord Jesus to give him our gifts. Our heart, our life. We must seek to adore him and recognize him as the true king of our lives.

We must carry him "hidden" in the depths of our hearts and joyfully celebrate our encounter with him. As a community of brothers and sisters who love each other, respect each other, seek each other and are filled with the joy in being united.

Today, we live in difficult times. Times of fear, pandemic, deaths and insecurities. May remembering the Lord Jesus as our King and manifested to the whole world help us to have him as the center of our lives; to dress our hearts with beautiful and bright colors.

It may be a little late when you read this to remember the meaning of the “Rosca,” but it is not too late to commemorate his life among us, our journey toward him and the gifts we want to offer him. Let's enjoy the tamales and, if you were the lucky one to share them, let's do it with joy and with the best disposition to celebrate our life as a family and a community of faith.