Folia de Reis Estrela de Ouro, dia de Reis - 06/01/2026.

Amidst the bellowing of cattle, with nature full of greenery to compose the scene, the Folia de Reis (Three Kings' Day celebration) arrives at the homes of devotees on the day dedicated to Saints Melchior, Balthazar, and Gaspar. It's a celebration! A liturgical commemoration of the first three worshippers of the Child Jesus, and the Folia goes out in praise. ---- Thus the scriptures narrate through the evangelist: "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to look for the child and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.'" By the work of God the Father, the messianic prophecy had been fulfilled in the Lord's nativity. In prophetic fulfillment as well, the star appears as a compass for his encounter. The wise Magi identified this sign in the sky and set out to follow it. In this, since Jesus is the star itself, the three had an experience of what Christ himself would later teach: "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me" (Mark 10:21). There is no record of whether the wise men gave up their own possessions to follow the star, but one thing is undeniable: They left their lives, homes, families, occupations, customs, and comfort. Without hesitation, they prepared their mounts with the bare minimum for subsistence on the uncertain journey, and, abandoning their origins, they went. It is possible that, considering the hypothesis that the three had relatives or businesses, they left their recommendations and justifications for such an undertaking. In this, naturally, someone may have tried to discourage them. But the most important thing, for them, as well as for anyone who decides to follow Christ, is not what was left behind, but rather what precedes, what comes ahead. Here's one of the reasons the star was in the lead. It could certainly have illuminated the rear and still guided the journey ahead in some way. But it needed to go ahead, like a beacon of light illuminating a tortuous path. However, paraphrasing the reasoning, it means that God passes through the life of a human being and continues to be God. But Man, whose life is touched by God, is never the same again. It means that what matters is not what is left behind, but what will come after the encounter with God. It was precisely this encounter that the Magi desired when they left everything to worship the Messiah. They followed and found him, they reached apotheosis. When the Lord reveals himself in the manger to the three, he shows himself simple and fragile, lying on the grass that served as his mattress. The wise men, even astonished by such inexplicable simplicity, adored the child as if they were before the most ornate altar. The reward for all the effort of following the star—Jesus?! In that divine encounter, they realized that the true light was the Child. The star that led them to Him was only a spark of that light. Transformed, they never stopped following Him and are saints for it. --- Thus we celebrate Epiphany, yearning to continue under the light of Christ, going to meet Him, seeking holiness. Having the example of Gaspar, Balthazar, and Melchior as a formula to reach the promised treasure of heaven. Long live the Three Kings!!! Long live the Child Jesus! Video: Arrival of the Estrela de Ouro Epiphany procession at Mr. Ronaldo's house in Taquara, Itapecerica-MG. Date: 12/27/2025. Images: Fernanda Pires. #foliadereis #diadereis #06dejaneiro #diadeSantosReis #reismagos #epifania #embaixador #luizotaviano #minasgerais #brasil #cultura #xodozinhosanfoneiro #mineiridade #terradapadroeira #santosreis #brasil #foliadereismaisfamosadobrasil #agro #festadereis #ciadereis #festadesantosreis