On January 6th, they arrive in Bethlehem. Upon arrival, they saw the baby but they also saw three men (which are the three kings). The one known as the "white" one came from Germany and was on a horse. The King from Asia came on a two humped camel. He was referred to as the "yellow" one and the third king, known as the "black" one came on an elephant. The three different colors; white, yellow and black, represented the different races. When the shepherds approached and saw the beautiful, valuable offerings from these kings, they felt humiliated, but decided to present their gifts anyway.
The gifts presented by the shepherds to the baby Jesus are as follows:
Parrado - gives him shoes
Naval- a little donkey
Mango - 33 1/3 spoons to symbolize Jesus' projected life span
Gerardo - a cloth that had been used to wrap his
food in, he gave to the baby Jesus to
be used as diapers
Doristo- gives him a top (pinola) Jewish type
Bato- (the oldest pastor) gives him a beehive wrapped in grass
Tavano- basket of wild flowers
Melicio- gives goat cheese
Tulio- plays a song and gives him a bandolino
Toringo- a cuna (cradle) in some plays, he also gives a rooster
Bartolo- a lamb
Hermit- a rosary made from olive wood (this gift shocked
people because it was a
prophecy of what
is to come- the death of Christ)
This last character mentioned (Hermit) was very significant in the play. He played the part of an old but very wise man, while also providing the play's comic relief. Not only did he provide the audience with plenty of sayings and proverbs, but he also entertained the children in the audience providing them with an array of "life's lessons." He would diligently explain things to children. A few examples of the proverbs and sayings are listed below.
The dove does not have a song because Mary asked it to sing to the baby Jesus, but he refused since he claimed to be "too busy" so he was silenced forever.
The owl was invited to travel along with Mary and the baby but claimed he did not have time so that's why the owl cannot sleep at night.
A Robin's breast is red because in helping the Virgin Mary light a fire, it gets too close to the flame and burns its chest.
The mule does not reproduce because it refused to help keep the baby warm so now it can't reproduce.
