The Christmas Kings

As we celebrate the holidays with family and new friends we’re reminded of the importance of such a grand holiday. Thanksgiving and Christmas are times for reflection, forgiveness, renewal and remembrance. The oldest of traditions that glue us together. The hearth that we gather around with the old and the new.  This time of year it is all easily forgotten within all the bustle and presents and hubabalu.

All of those things that separate us each year, become forgiven regrets and forgotten fears…as we all draw nearer to each other. And though it might not last long, it’s the times we remember, the memories we share that can’t ever be forgotten. A tradition of long ago, that makes my Christmas spirit shine.

       One memory never to be forgot: The Christmas Kings


The song goes, “we three kings of orient are, bearing gifts we travel so far, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder stars. Oh star of wonder star so bright, westward leading still proceeding guide us with thy perfect light.”
Father would play with us, never letting us know when we would get to open presents on Christmas Eve. Yes all the presents would be opened sometime during the day or night of the eve, to forgo the stereotypical tale of Santa Claus.

(As Santa was a made up characters that ‘Satan’ had created to make us forget what Christmas is all about. They went so far as to say that legends and kids lore such as Santa Claus and the Easter bunny were evil.) 
Now back to the beauty of this tradition (no matter what its origin).

For as children we never cared about the reasons. Father would make it a game you see. None of us knowing if he would wake us really early or wait for the Christmas lights showing. It was part of the mystery and part of the fun. But on that my father smiled more than the rest of the year combined.

So the spirit of Christmas was full of cheer, teasing and waiting and the growing wonder. But once the door closed to their room you knew Christmas presents were mysteriously appearing on the bed to which each of us would share. Father and mother would come out all smile, for taking a nap made them so happy. Humming the song they would sit by each other and open the bible.

The story of Jesus and his arrival, from Matthew, Mark, Luke and finally John. As the stories reminded us all why we were all gathered together. Then the oldest three children would sing the song, walking to the bedroom and singing louder as they reappeared and presented gifts to the others waiting in their chairs. Again and again until each person had three. A prayer. And singing carols as we played with our toys. Together in cheer, being so gay.

As we grew older and our family got larger, we continued this tradition of reading the bible and how we all got our gifts. Until it just stopped. But no matter what each holiday season brings, I’ll always remember those three kings. The ones wrapped in blankets as capes, singing loud and out of tune while they disappeared out of the room. It was something so fun and fantastic that being a king was just as fantastic as accepting the gift brought by the others. All kings for a day, and never to be forgotten.




I hope that you will remember to relax and have fun this holiday season, for that is what memories are made of. I can not name you any of the presents, because a toy or an item does not make memories, but the time you share and the things you do for fun will belong in your hearts all year long. 

So drop your traditions, share them here or just within your own family. For those treasured moments are worth more than any money spent during the holidays.

From Remnants Publishing to you; I hope your holiday is full of wonderful memories and cheer and we will see you in the New year with books that we hope will make even more amazing memories and shared moments as well.


K. A. Petentler @ Remnants Publishing