20 21 A
D R E A M
H O L I D A Y
E D I T I O N
D R D I V E R S I T Y ,
R E C O
D E C E M B E R
2 0 2 1
E A M
G N I T I O N ,
E N R I C H M E N T ,
A N D
A W A R E N E S S
A T
M A C E R I C H
The DREAM Team is excited to share the histories and traditions of ten winter holidays In this issue you will discover why Hanukkah celebrates the ‘miracle
This holiday season, we are actively opening our hearts and minds to
of the oil’; explore the history of Our Lady of Guadalupe; learn about
learn about the different perspectives, beliefs, cultures, and walks of
the Scandinavian festival of lights; discover fun facts about Christmas;
life of friends, peers, strangers, and neighbors; to embrace each other’s
explore the seven principles of Kwanzaa; be briefed on how our friends
stories, differences, and come together to share our common joys.
from across the pond and to the north observe Boxing Day; learn how Omisoka is celebrated in Japan; find out what makes Armenian
We look forward to 2022 with gratitude. We also want to give a special
Christmas unique; discover how Three Kings Day marks the end of the
thank you to those of you who have connected with our team to share
Twelve Days of Christmas; and learn about the many celebrations of the
your family stories and cultural celebrations; it has been a joy to learn
winter solstice season.
from you. We hope you all look forward to engaging with us in the New Year as we continue to evolve our culture of belonging here at Macerich.
While many of our holiday celebrations differ—we come together for
Be sure to visit our pages on Mac Central for holiday content and
many occasions, enjoy unique cultural foods, and celebrate special
personal stories from our Macerich family.
traditions of our own - the holidays continue to bring people together around the common joys of spending time with loved ones, cooking
Happy Holidays!
family recipes, gathering around the dinner table, and winding down to enjoy the simple comforts of our home.
DREAM
A
D R E A M
H O L I D A Y
E D I T I O N
D E C E M B E R
A
D R E A M
H O L I D A Y
2 0 2 1
E D I T I O N
H A N U K K A H /C H A N U KA H * N O V E M B E R
T
2 8
–
D E C E M B E R
6
he events that inspired Hanukkah took place
*THE TRUTH IS BOTH ARE CONSIDERED CORRECT,
during a particularly turbulent time in Jewish
THOUGH HANUKKAH IS THE MOST WIDELY USED
history. Several interpretations exist, but historians
believe the tradition arose as a result of civil unrest between those who chose to adopt the Greek and Syrian customs under Antiochus IV and the Seleucid Empire,
SPELLING, AND CHANUKAH IS MORE TRADITIONAL. SINCE HEBREW DOES NOT USE THE LATIN ALPHABET, THE TRANSLATION IS NOT EXACT AS THE HOLIDAY NAME USES SOUNDS THAT AREN’T FOUND IN THE LATIN ALPHABET USED BY THE
and the traditionalists who were determined to conserve
ENGLISH LANGUAGE. THERE ARE MORE THAN 20
Jewish laws and traditions.
OTHER VARIATIONS RECORDED!
Following the success of their rebellion, the Jewish traditionalists’ first task was to cleanse the Second Temple
Because the Hebrew calendar is lunisolar, related to
by rebuilding its altar and lighting its menorah— the
the movement of the sun and moon, Hanukkah is not
candelabra’s seven branches representing knowledge and
observed on the same date every year. The celebration
creation were meant to burn every night. Even though
always begins on the 25th of Kislev, the 9th month of the
only a small amount of olive oil was available to keep the
Jewish calendar, meaning it typically falls in November or
candles burning, the flame lasted for eight nights which
December of the Gregorian Calendar - the same season
was seen as a wondrous event and is said to have inspired
as Thanksgiving and Christmas.
the Hanukkah eight-day celebration observed today, “the miracle of the oil”.
Traditional Hanukkah foods are fried in oil as a symbol of the ‘miracle’. The most popular recipes include fried
The Hanukkah celebration revolves around the kindling
potato pancakes called latkes and homemade doughnuts
of a nine-branched menorah, known in Hebrew as the
called sufganiyot. Other Hanukkah customs include
Hanukkiyah. On each of the holiday’s eight nights, another
playing with four-sided spinning tops called dreidels and
candle is added to the menorah after sundown; the ninth
exchanging gifts. And traditionally, children receive gelt,
candle, called the shamash or “helper”, is used to light the
the Yiddish word for money, from the adults.
others. Blessings are typically recited during this ritual and menorah’s displayed prominently in windows as a reminder to others of the miracle that inspired the holiday.
D E C E M B E R
A
D R E A M
H O L I D A Y
2 0 2 1
E D I T I O N
O U R L A DY O F G UA DA L U P E D E C E M B E R
1 2
C
elebrated on December 12, Our Lady of Guadalupe is a powerful symbol of devotion, identity, and patriotism for Mexicans and
Mexican-Americans as well as other Latinos. Her image inspires artists, activists, feminists, and the faithful. She is seen as a mother figure, forgiving and all-loving.
According to Catholic accounts, the mother of God appeared to a peasant named Juan Diego in 1531 on a hill near present-day Mexico City and asked that he build her a shrine. Twice Juan Diego reported her appearance to his local bishop, who did not believe him. The second time, the bishop asked for proof. On the morning of December 12, the vision appeared again to Juan Diego and directed him to gather flowers at the top of the hill which was an unusual request during the winter when flowers were not in season. Nonetheless, he followed her instructions and discovered an array of Castilian roses.
DID YOU KNOW?
The “lady” helped Juan Diego arrange them in his tilma,
•
American culture
or cloak, and he returned to his bishop. When Juan Diego revealed his cloak, the roses tumbled out along
•
She is one of the most famous apparitions in the world
with an image of the Virgin Mary. Since then, this image has been known as Our Lady of Guadalupe.
She is an inextricable part of Mexican and Mexican
•
The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe was a driving factor in the conversion of many of Mexico’s indigenous people to Catholicism
Her presence has grown beyond the religious sects as she has played an important role in Mexican nationalism
•
viewed as a patroness of revolution. During the Mexican
Her appearance happened just 10 years after Spain’s conquest of central Mexico
and identity. Throughout Mexican history, she has been •
Our Lady of Guadalupe became a symbol of
War of Independence (1810-1821) and during the civil war
patriotism and the nation during Mexico’s war of
in Mexico (1926–1929) she appeared on rebel banners.
independence from Spain in 1810, the Mexican
Her continuing significance as a religious and national
revolution, and the Mexican American civil rights
symbol is attested by the hundreds of thousands of
movement
pilgrims who visit her shrine, Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Mexico, every year.
•
Depictions of Our Lady of Guadalupe have remained consistent for centuries
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE, ALSO KNOWN AS THE VIRGIN OF GUADALUPE, IS A CATHOLIC TITLE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY ASSOCIATED WITH A SERIES OF FIVE MARIAN APPARITIONS IN DECEMBER 1531, AND A VENERATED IMAGE ON A CLOAK ENSHRINED WITHIN THE BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE IN MEXICO CITY. THE BASILICA IS THE MOST VISITED CATHOLIC PILGRIMAGE SITE IN THE WORLD, AND THE WORLD’S THIRD MOST-VISITED SACRED SITE.
D E C E M B E R
A
D R E A M
H O L I D A Y
2 0 2 1
E D I T I O N
S T. L U C I A’ S DAY D E C E M B E R
S
aint Lucia’s Day is a festival of lights, celebrated in Sweden, Norway, the Swedish-speaking areas of Finland, and parts of the United States. It is
observed on December 13th in honor of St. Lucy who is believed to be one of the earliest Christian martyrs killed by the Romans because of her religious beliefs.
The festival begins with a procession led by a St. Lucia designee, who is followed by young girls dressed in white to resemble Lucia figures called lussegubbar wearing lighted wreaths on their heads and boys dressed in white pajama-like costume singing traditional songs.
The festival marks the beginning of the Christmas season in Scandinavia, and it is meant to bring hope and light during the darkest time of the year. Families observe St. Lucia’s Day in their homes by having one of their daughters, traditionally the eldest, dress in white and serve coffee and baked goods, such as saffron bread called lussekatter and ginger biscuits, to the other members of the family. These traditional foods are also given to visitors throughout the day.
TRADITIONAL GINGER SNAPS ARE A FAVORITE IN MANY CULTURES DURING THE HOLIDAYS
1 3
D E C E M B E R
A
D R E A M
H O L I D A Y
2 0 2 1
E D I T I O N
CHRISTMAS D E C E M B E R
C
2 5
hristmas is an annual Christian holiday that
The Twelve Days of Christmas: Legend has it that the
celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. The 25th day
three kings took twelve days to travel to the birthplace of
of December was chosen to mark His birthday
baby Jesus, hence the holiday season is known as the 12
by the Roman Catholic Church years after His death. The
days of Christmas.
holiday is celebrated by Christians all over the world.
Christmas trees were first used by ancient Egyptians and
TWELVE FUN FACTS FOR TWELVE DAYS
Romans, who used evergreens like fir or pine trees as
1.
The traditional Christmas meal before turkey and/or
2.
It is debatable whether Prince Albert, Queen
wreaths and garlands. The use of modern Christmas trees during the holiday started in Germany in the 16th century.
ham was a pig’s head covered with mustard
Victoria’s consort, who is credited for introducing Legend has it that Queen Charlotte’s compatriot, Martin
the Christmas tree to England in 1840 spurred their
Luther, the religious reformer, invented the Christmas tree
popularity in America as well, OR whether the first
one winter’s night as he was walking through a pine forest
German Settlers in Pennsylvania started the tradition
near his home in Wittenberg, Germany. He suddenly
here in the U.S.
looked up and saw thousands of stars glinting jewel-like
3.
among the branches of the trees. This wondrous sight inspired him to set up a candle-lit fir tree in his house that
Alabama was the first state in the U.S. to have recognized Christmas as an official holiday
4.
The Statue of Liberty was gifted by France to the
from whence their Savior came. By 1605 decorated
5.
Mistletoe is the symbol of love and laughter
Christmas trees had made their appearance across
6.
“Jingle Bells” was originally a Thanksgiving song
Southern Germany. Instead of the glitzy decorations that
7.
Christmas decorating sends nearly 15,000 people to
Christmas to remind his children of the starry heavens
USA as a Christmas gift in the year 1886
we see on them today, they were decorated with fruits
the ER a year (Just ask Kurt Ivey about the time he
and nuts.
broke his foot hanging roof lights!) 8.
Santa has his own Canadian postal code
As legend has it, St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus as we know
9.
Candy canes originated in Germany
him today, was a Christian bishop who provided for the
10.
It is traditional to eat KFC for Christmas in Japan
poor and enjoyed giving gifts to children. St. Nicholas
11.
Christmas trees usually grow for 15 years before they
12.
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer got his start in a
made his first inroads into American popular culture towards the end of the 18th century when a New York newspaper reported that a group of Dutch families had gathered to honor the anniversary of his death. Stores began to advertise Christmas shopping in the early 19th century which featured images of the newly popular Santa Claus followed by a life-size model displayed at a Philadelphia shop in 1841. Thus, the shopping mall Santa was born - the most iconic being the department store Santa in the 1947 classic movie, “Miracle on 34th Street.”
are sold
1839 advertising campaign
D E C E M B E R
A
D R E A M
H O L I D A Y
2 0 2 1
E D I T I O N
KWA N Z AA D E C E M B E R
2 6
-
J A N U A R Y
1
In 1966, at the height of the Black Liberation and Civil
SEVEN SYMBOLS:
Rights movements of the 1960s, Maulana Karenga, a
1.
professor and chair of the Department of Africana Studies
roots of African-Americans in agriculture and also
at California State University in Long Beach, created Kwanzaa as an effort to reinforce family, community, and
the reward for collective labor 2.
culture among Black Americans.
Seven Principles: The holiday is celebrated over a period
Mazao: The Crops, which represent the historical
Mkeka: The Mat, the foundation for growth and self-actualization
3.
Vibunzi: Ear of Corn signifies children
4.
Mishumaa Saba: The Seven Candles represent the
of seven days, from December 26 to January 1. Each
seven principles of the Nguzo Saba
day is centered on the principles of the Nguzo Saba, the
5.
Kinara: The Candleholder symbolizes ancestry
seven core principles of African tradition: Unity, Self-
6.
Kikombe Cha Umoja: The Unity Cup symbolizes
determination, Collective work, Cooperative economics, Purpose, Creativity and Faith.
unity between the living and dead 7.
Zawadi: Gifts gifts are given by parents to children to reward their accomplishments and commitments
During Kwanzaa, a seven-branch candleholder called the kinara is used for candles that represent the Nguzo Saba. Three candles are red, three candles are green, and the last candle (the center candle) is black. One candle is lit each day. The kinara bears resemblance to the menorah used in the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah. The Bendera, the official holiday flag, is another symbol used to represent the celebration. The colors of the flag correlate with the candle colors: black symbolizes the people, red symbolizes the struggle, and green symbolizes the future and hope that comes from that struggle.
Celebrants give gifts on December 31st. Gifts are sometimes handmade and given mainly to children. They must always include a book and a heritage symbol.
DID YOU KNOW: ·
Over 28 million people worldwide celebrate
·
Both Oprah Winfrey and Angelina Jolie
·
Kwanzaa is not considered a religious holiday but
Kwanzaa annually.
celebrate Kwanzaa.
a cultural one with an inherent spiritual quality. ·
Catfish, collards, and macaroni and cheese are some of the staple dishes of Kwanzaa.
D E C E M B E R
A
D R E A M
H O L I D A Y
2 0 2 1
E D I T I O N
B OX I N G DAY D E C E M B E R
2 6
Contrary to popular belief, Boxing Day is not a day
DID YOU KNOW?
where you lace up your gloves and take it out on your
·
December 26th is also known as St. Stephen’s Day.
opponent... Boxing Day originated in the United Kingdom
The first St. Stephen is believed to have been a very
when Queen Victoria held the throne throughout the
early follower of Jesus and he is said to have been
1800s. Boxing Day was given its name during a time
the first Christian Martyr. The second St. Stephen
when people from wealthy classes would box gifts and
was a Missionary, in Sweden, in the 800s. He loved all
give to the poor. It was traditionally a day off work for
animals but particularly horses (perhaps why there
servants, and the day they received a special Christmas
is traditionally horse racing on Boxing Day). Both St.
box with money, gifts, and leftovers from their employers.
Stephens have been associated with charity and giving
Some Boxing Day stories have been passed down as the
for a very long time; and historically that’s what St.
day Alms Boxes were opened and monetary donations
Stephen’s Day/Boxing Day was about.
from parishioners were distributed to the poor. In The
·
In the UK, where football (soccer) is the top dog, all
Netherlands, some collection boxes were made out of
top-tier football leagues hold a full program of matches.
rough pottery called ‘earthenware’ and were shaped like
Other notable sporting events in the UK are rugby
pigs. Perhaps this is where we get the term ‘piggy bank’!
matches and horse racing – the King George VI Chase, which is the 2nd most prestigious chase in Britain.
Presently, many parts of Europe such as Romania,
·
Hungary, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Czech
annually between the Australian cricket team and an
Republic, and Scandinavia celebrate December 26th as a second Christmas Day. Boxing Day is also celebrated all
In Australia, they host the Boxing Day Test match
opposing national team. ·
Actual boxing does occur on Boxing Day - In some
over the world in Canada, Nigeria, Ireland, South Africa
African Commonwealth nations, particularly Ghana,
and Hong Kong.
Uganda, Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania, professional boxing contests are held on December 26th. This practice has also been followed for decades in Guyana and Italy.
D E C E M B E R
A
D R E A M
H O L I D A Y
2 0 2 1
E D I T I O N
ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS J A N U A R Y
Most people are surprised when their Armenian friend or co-worker mentions Christmas Day in January. This is also true for people from over a dozen Orthodox Christian countries, like Russia, Greece, and Ukraine.
The New Year marks the end of the holiday season here in the United States but in Armenia they are just getting started. There, New Year’s Eve kicks off two weeks of holidays during which Armenians celebrate Christ’s Nativity, his Baptism and the Epiphany (which means the revelation that Jesus was God’s son). January 6 is acknowledged as the day when the Wise Men visited the infant Jesus.
How is Christmas different in Armenia? Armenians light their homes and churches with candles to illuminate the end of dark days and long nights. Christmas Day, also a public holiday, is known to Armenians as Water Blessing Day to commemorate Christ’s baptism. Holy water, blessed by the head priest, is shared with families in the community.
The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Christmas on January 6th. Why? As Christianity expanded into Western Europe, the people there had been celebrating a Roman holiday, “Solis Invicti” on December 25th. Rather than compete with an already popular holiday, the church simply decided to move Christmas Day to December 25th and celebrate January 6th as the Feast of the Epiphany. Shenoraavor Nor Dari!
6
D E C E M B E R
A
D R E A M
H O L I D A Y
2 0 2 1
E D I T I O N
O M I S O KA D E C E M B E R
E
3 1
very year on December 31st, or New Year’s Eve,
noodle tradition. It is believed that udon sounds like “un”
people around the world celebrate the last day
which means luck or fortune in Japanese. Noodles are
of the year from large gatherings and public
often eaten plain, with scallions and sometimes tempura.
celebrations, to small parties and intimate evenings with friends and loved ones. In Japan, December 31st is known
Soba Fun Fact
as Omisoka, meaning “the last great day.” Traditionally it
Goldsmiths used the soba flower to collect gold dust,
was held on the final day of the 12th lunar month, but with
which is why soba noodles represent good fortune.
the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, December 31 is now used for the celebration in Japan.
Toshinoyu Toshinoyu is the practice of bathing the night of Omisoka.
HISTORY BEHIND THE NAME
The bath signifies the cleansing of the past year’s
·
‘uncleanliness’ including driving out evil spirits and bad luck.
The last day of each month was historically named misoka. The last day in the 12th lunar month was
·
called Omisoka – the “great thirtieth day”
As midnight approaches, many people across Japan visit
The last night of the year on Omisoka day is called
a shrine or temple for hatsumode, or the first shrine, or
Jo-ya night. Jo-ya night means “the night to remove
temple visit, and prayer of the year. It is a tradition to
last year’s evil.”
stay up all night to welcome the Toshigama-sama god at the beginning of the new year. At some Shinto shrines,
Oshogatsu (New Year) traditions in Japan are aimed at
amazake, a sweet, low-alcohol Japanese drink made
ensuring good luck and fortune in the upcoming year.
from fermented rice, is pass out to crowds that gather as
Omisoka customs may include year-end cleaning, or osoji,
midnight approaches. At most Buddhist temples, crowds
repaying debts, enjoying noodles for long-life, known
will gather to listen to the joya no kane, the ringing of a
as Toshikoshi-soba, and self-cleansing and purification,
large bonsho (Buddhist bell) 108 times to represent each
Toshinoyu.
of the earthly sins believed to cause human suffering.
KEY TERMS
More modern Omisoka activities involve social gatherings
Osoji
and viewing the 4+ hour long Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red/
Osoji is the custom of year-end cleaning. It relates to
White Singing Battle) and mixed martial arts matches.
susubarai, the traditional end-of-year dusting of regalia
The singing competition is one of the most watched
at Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Aside from
television programs. This custom has its roots in the
purifying the home prior to the New Year, the cleaning
ancient Japanese culture surrounding toshigamisama or
and decluttering is also seen as a time to reflect on the
toshitoku-sama, which revolved around the practice of
past year.
showing reverence toward the gods of the current and upcoming years.
Toshikoshi Soba Toshikoshi-soba is a tradition of eating buckwheat soba
Don’t forget to say…
noodles on Omisoka, which represents a “crossing over
·
from one year to the next,” which is the meaning of toshikoshi. The length of the soba noodles is believed to
“Yoi o-toshi wo” (Have a good New Year) when seeing someone for the last time before the New Year.
·
“Akemashite omedeto” (Congratulations on the New
ensure longevity and health, and the easy bite and break
Year), the traditional first greeting at the beginning
into the noodles symbolizes a break from any bad luck in
of the New Year.
the past year. In Western Japan, the dominance of wheatbased udon noodles has produced a separate toshikoshi
D E C E M B E R
A
D R E A M
H O L I D A Y
2 0 2 1
E D I T I O N
THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE MANY, MANY WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATIONS AND TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD. PERHAPS NEXT YEAR, WE’LL EXPLORE MORE!
YULE WINTER SOLSTICE D E C E M B E R
2 1
Most of us view the Yule Winter Solstice as simply the
would set one end of these logs on fire. The people
shortest day and longest night of the year. But it is so
would feast until the log burned out, which could
much more!
take as many as 12 days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new piglet or
Yule is the Pagan and Wiccan celebration of the winter
calf that would be born during the coming year.
solstice, celebrated in December every year, in the southern hemisphere this occurs in June. Cultures around
•
The Chinese celebration of the winter solstice, Dong
the world have long held feasts and celebrated holidays
Zhi (which means “Winter Arrives”), welcomes the
around the winter solstice which marks the start of
return of longer days and the corresponding
astronomical winter. Fire and light are traditional symbols.
increase in positive energy in the year to come.
Humans may have observed the winter solstice as early
•
Native American traditions for the Zuni, a Pueblo
as the Neolithic period – the last part of the Stone Age,
people in western New Mexico, celebrate the winter
beginning about 10,200 BC. Neolithic monuments, such
solstice with a ceremonial dance called Shalako. After fasting, prayer, and observing the rising
as Newgrange in Ireland and Meshowe in Scotland, are
and setting of the sun for several days before the
aligned with sunrise on the winter solstice. Stonehenge,
solstice, the Pekwin, or “Sun Priest” traditionally
which is oriented toward the winter solstice sunset may
announces the exact moment of itiwanna, the rebirth
also have been a place of December rituals for Stone Age
of the sun, with a long, mournful call. With that
people.
signal, the rejoicing and dancing begin, as 12 Kachina clowns dance along with the Shalako themselves
SOLSTICE TRADITIONS •
– 12 foot-high effigies with bird heads, seen as
Ancient Romans held several celebrations around
messengers from the gods.
the time of the winter solstice. Saturnalia, a holiday in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture, was a
•
weeklong celebration. Saturnalia was a hedonistic
The Hopi in northern Arizona celebrate the winter solstice with a similar ritual, the celebration of Soyal.
time, when food and drink were plentiful and the
An all-night ceremony begins, including kindling
normal Roman social order was turned upside down.
fires, dancing, and sometimes gift-giving.
For a week, slaves would become masters; Peasants were in command of the city; Business and schools
•
were closed so that everyone could join in the fun.
In Japan, the winter solstice is a traditional practice centered on starting the New Year with health and good luck. People light bonfires to encourage the
•
In addition, members of the upper classes often
sun’s return; huge bonfires burn on Mount Fuji each
celebrated the birthday of Mithra, an ancient Persian
December 22.
god of light, on December 25. Some theorists believe the early Roman Catholic Church may have chosen this date for Christmas in order to supplant pagan rituals, though many Christian scholars dispute this.
•
Shab-e Yalda, (“Yalda night”) is an Iranian festival. This celebration springs out of ancient Zoroastrian traditions and customs intended to protect people from evil spirits during the long night. Shab-e-Yalda
•
Norsemen of Scandinavia celebrated Yule from the winter solstice through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs, which became known as Yule logs. They
translates to “Night of Birth”. Iranians all over the world celebrate the triumph of the sun god Mithra over darkness.
D E C E M B E R
A
D R E A M
H O L I D A Y
2 0 2 1
E D I T I O N
T H R E E K I N G S DAY J A N U A R Y
6
Three Kings Day is celebrated on January 6th by the
On the evening before Three Kings Day, or Vispera
Catholic Church as a holiday, one of the three principal
de Reyes, children leave shoe boxes of hay or grass
and oldest festival days of the Christian church besides
underneath their beds for the kings’ camels to enjoy
Easter and Christmas. The feast commemorates
after their long journey (similar to the custom of leaving
principally the biblical journey of the magi, or three kings,
cookies out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve). In the
who for twelve days followed a star that appeared in the
morning, the hay would be gone, and the boxes would be
sky on Christmas Day that led them to Bethlehem where
stuffed with candies, nuts, or small toys – gifts from the
they discovered and offered gifts to the baby Jesus.
three kings.
The magi, Balthazar, Caspar, and Melchior, represented
In addition to gift-giving, there is also a culinary treat
Europe, Arabia, and Africa. Their coming together was
that is specific to this holiday. Known as Rosca de Reyes
symbolic of unity. The three gifts they gave Jesus were
(King’s Cake), this holiday dessert is a symbolic pastry.
meant to be symbolic as well and had a spiritual meaning:
Shaped in a circle to signify a king’s crown, this sweet
Gold as a symbol of kingship on earth, Frankincense (an
bread holds a special surprise. Inside is a small plastic
incense) as a symbol of deity, and Myrrh (an embalming
figurine representing the baby Jesus. Whoever finds this
oil) as a symbol of death.
token is obligated to host an upcoming party for the occasion Dia de la Condelaria (Candlemas Day) which
In some cultures, Three Kings Day is also known as Epiphany or Theophany, a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ. The holiday is nearly as significant as Christmas in many Spanish-speaking regions like Puerto Rico, Spain and Latin America as well as in other predominately Christian nations, like Russia.
From Spain and France to Chile and Mexico, millions of people celebrate Three Kings Day with a variety of traditions, rituals, and symbols, marking the end of the “12 Days of Christmas.” But Santa Claus isn’t the star of the show when this holiday season rolls around. Instead, it’s the Three Wise Men – or Los Reyes Magos – who take center stage. They’re the ones who bring Spanish children their gifts the night before Three Kings Day in January. In Puerto Rico and many other Spanish speaking regions the buildup to the holiday begins right after Christmas with the Parrandas, when people would go door to door, usually late at night, singing religious folk songs called aguinaldos, playing instruments and offering small gifts to their neighbors.
occurs each year on February 2.
“BLESSED IS THE SEASON WHICH ENGAGES THE WHOLE WORLD IN A CONSPIRACY OF LOVE.” – HAMILTON WRIGHT MABIE
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE DREAM CONTRIBUTORS: Pat Burkhardt + Emmy Tappen
Join us! Email dream@macerich.com to get involved and stay informed on upcoming happenings and announcements.