Who Brings Holiday Presents?

Part 1 of this series on holiday gift-givers talked about Saints and Santas. Part 2 will discuss

The Three Kings as Gift-Givers

One of the most obvious Christian connections between the giving of presents and the Christmas holidays is that it commemorates the arrival of the Three Kings, sometimes called Magi or Wise Men, who brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus. In fact, in some countries, children receive presents not on Dec. 25, but on Jan. 6, the Feast of the Three Kings or The Epiphany.

In Spain, Mexico and other Latin American countries, children write letters to the Kings, similar to the custom of writing letters to Santa. On Jan. 5, Epiphany Eve, the children polish their shoes and leave them out. They awake on El Dia de los Reyes (the Day of the Kings) to find presents in and around their shoes.

In Puerto Rico, the children put fresh grass or hay in shoeboxes under their beds for the King's camels to eat. In the middle of the night the kings come by and take the food out to their camels, leaving presents to thank the children.

According to Syrian legend, one of the camels itself is believed to be the gift-bringer and though the event is associated with the Magi, the presents arrive on New Year's Day. Legend says the littlest camel in the Three King's caravan carried the gold, frankincense and myrrh to be given to the Baby Jesus. But the Magi's journey following the star was so long the little camel became exhausted. Nonetheless, his desire to see the Infant King kept him plodding toward Bethlehem.

When the kings' caravan finally arrived, the little camel fell to his knees and collapsed in front of the manager. For his faith and perseverance, the Baby Jesus blessed him with immortal life and gave him the mission of bringing presents to children. Syrian children leave shoes outside their houses on the Eve of Christmas, along with hay and some water for the little camel to eat and drink. The next morning, the water and hay are gone, replaced by presents.

In some countries, the celebration of the Three Kings became attached to other legends and other gift-bringers. In Italy, for instance, La Befana (a name derived from Epifania, or Epiphany) brings gifts. Though there are variations on the story, the core of the La Befana legend is that while following the star, the Three Kings took refuge one night in the home of an elderly lady. While she feeds them, they tell her about their journey to seek out the newborn King. She says she would like to see the Babe also and they invite her to join them. She insists she must tidy her house first and will catch up to them later. When she has finally finished with her cleaning, she gathers up some toys for the Baby, but she is never able to catch up to the Kings. Ever since then, she has wandered about the world on the Feast of the Epiphany looking in people's houses for the baby Jesus. Not finding him, she leaves toys for the children of the house.

In Italy La Befana is sometimes pictured as a good-witch figure – with long pointed nose and wearing a shawl black from entering houses through soot-filled chimneys. She rides a broom to speed her along on her journey to fill stockings for all the Italian children. Others reject the witch image and picture her as a grandmotherly poor woman. Many say, since Befana was such a fastidious housekeeper, she uses her broom to sweep the floor before she leaves – and she sweeps away the old year's problems also.

In some countries, children receive gifts on more than one day. Perhaps one of the strangest minor gift-givers is Catalonia's Caga Tió (Poop Log). As part of Spain, Catalonia observes the Feast of the Three Kings as their major Christmas feast day, but the holiday celebrations begin Dec. 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception in the Catholic Church). Along with holiday decorations comes Caga Tió, a log with stick legs, a happy painted face and a traditional red Catalon beret. The children of the house must care for Caga Tió until Christmas Eve by. They cover him with a blanket to keep him warm and feedhim nuts, dried fruit or bits of a sweet confection called turron. On Christmas Eve, encouraged by the children beating him with a stick, Caga Tió defecates sweets and small toys. The log is then thrown into the fire to warm the family.

This tradition is not meant to be disgusting or sacrilegious, it is meant to highlight the cycle of fertilization, birth and growth and presage a prosperous harvest season.

Next week, Part 3 will discuss the Baby Jesus or Kristkind as the Christmas gift-giver.