A New Orleans Tradition has Biblical Meaning

Today is Twelfth Night, Epiphany, or King's Night. Call it what you wish but being from New Orleans it means King Cake season is official (this New Orleans tradition began in the 1870's). Even though some stores don't hold to the tradition and place them out earlier, I refuse to buy one before King's Night.

January 6 is twelve days after Christmas. On this night tradition holds that the Magi (three kings) found the Christ Child after their long search for Him. The circular shape of the King Cake is believed to represent two things. First, it represents the path that the Magi took to find the Child and once finding Him went another way in order to not encounter Herod. Once returning home, their journey formed a circular, oblong path. Second, it is believed to represent the unity of the Christian faith.

The cake is made in honor of the King's search for the Christ Child. Once a King Cake is cut, the search begins for the hidden baby inside. This baby represents Jesus Christ. In the beginning of this tradition a bean or nut was used to represent the baby. After that a gold baby became popular and today a small plastic baby is used. When I was a child the baby was already in the King Cake when you purchased it. Today it is in a small bag taped to the package and the host must insert prior to cutting. I guess too many people almost chocked on it not understanding the tradition. Tradition holds that the person that finds the baby is responsible for sharing the next cake. Isn't that a Biblical message? The person that finds Jesus is responsible for sharing Him with others.

The King Cake also is decorated in the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold. Tradition says that the purple represents justice, the green faith, and the gold power. I have also heard it stated that the gold represents Jesus' Kingship, the purple represents Jesus' Priesthood, and the green represents Jesus' death offering us newness of life. These are the very things the three gifts mentioned in the Bible represent. The gold is obvious it represents Jesus' poweful Kingship. Frankincense presents Jesus' Priesthood because it was used in the temple by the priests. Myrrh represents Jesus' atoning death on the cross for mankind. Myrrh was used as an embalming agent in Jesus' day.

I have so many wonderful memories of King Cake parties at home, in school, and other places like Girl Scouts. I plan on buying a King Cake today and sharing the story with my children. Why don't you also make this a tradition in your family and share the Biblical account of the Magi searching for and finding Jesus?