'THREE KINGS' TRADITION LIVES ON FAMILIES MARK BIBLICAL STORY WITH SMALL GIFTS.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

STEVENSON RANCH - Today, the Romero sisters will awaken to gifts from the kings.

They will unwrap the packages tucked gently in their pink-and-white tennis shoes, shoes they had placed carefully the evening before on their back patio, so that when the Three Kings pass by, there will be presents left behind.

``The day is very important. It is met with much enthusiasm,'' said Teresa Romero, the Spanish coordinator for religious education at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Newhall.

Across Mexico today and in cities and towns all over the United States, children receive presents - usually small toys, candies or practical gifts- as part of the celebration of the Dia de Los Reyes, or the end of the 12 days of Christmas known as the Epiphany. The day commemorates the Biblical story of when the Three Kings or Wise Men named Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar followed the Star of Bethlehem to bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus.

It is an important time and an enduring tradition among Hispanics. In many Spanish-speaking countries, Jan. 6 is the day when children receive their gifts from parents.

Much like Santa Claus, parents tell young children that if they place their shoes outside, the Three Kings will pass by and leave gifts. In some regions, children leave hay for the kings' camels as part of the exchange.

``They get very small things, but beautiful things that have value and tradition,'' Romero said. ``In Mexico, parents make sacrifices to be able to buy what they can for their children. It's very important in our culture.''

The day is steeped in symbolism, Romero said.

As part of the festivities, families gather to eat a crown-shaped sweet bread called Rosca de Reyes. The bread contains a small plastic toy in the shape of a baby, to symbolize the Christ child. Whoever receives the slice of bread with the baby must host a party on Feb. 2, the day Jesus was presented to the temple.

Juan Bernabe, owner of Jazmin's Bakery in Newhall, said the tradition is still quite popular locally and shows no sign of waning.

He estimated that he has baked about 500 roscas and will likely sell them all by today.

``This year, we expect more people,'' Bernabe said. ``Everybody will come today at the last minute. We will have been baking all night.''

Romero said it was her mother who encouraged her to pass on the tradition to her own three daughters, Cristina, 12, Maria, 15, and Lizbeth, 24.

And so on Wednesday night, the sisters placed their tennis shoes in the back yard of their Stevenson Ranch home. The styles of shoes may have changed over the years, but in their family, the tradition continues.

Though the Romero sisters are old enough know the Three Kings is really their mom - one daughter was heartbroken several years ago to find the truth one night when she caught Romero placing presents outside - they are still surprised by the gifts. But some of their friends don't understand why Christmas continues for them past Dec. 25.

``Other kids from my culture can relate to me, but some don't understand,'' Maria said.

Romero said in Mexico, children find ways to get more presents, too.

``Children think if they put out worn shoes, the Kings will feel sorry for them and give them more presents,'' Romero said.

One of nine children, Romero remembers how her siblings wanted to put out an extra shoe or two, again to receive more presents.

``My mom had nine children and it was hard enough,'' she said. ``So she would tell them, 'Oh no, we can't put an extra shoe out. The Kings will know. They know everything'.''

Susan Abram, [phone]

susan.abram(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) The Romero family looks over one of several Nativity scenes throughout their Stevenson Ranch home on Wednesday. In keeping with an enduring Hispanic tradition, the family has put out shoes for the Three Kings to fill with gifts today, the 12th day after Christmas.

(2) Maria Romero, Alyssa Pasamba, Christina Romero and Teresa Romero, from left, look at the shoes they've left for the Three Kings.

David Crane/Staff Photographer