American people usually prepare themselves for the coming holidays doing different activities. Families go to find the right tree and put all the ornaments on it; moms prepare cookies and delicious food for the family and friends; dads put up all the Christmas lights, the Nativity scene, Santa, the snowman… people start to sing Christmas carols, and watch Christmas movies. This is something I have seen throughout the 15 years that I have been living in the United States. But, what do you know about other Christmas traditions?
Probably you can talk about “Las Posadas,” which is a novenario (an extended devotional prayer). It is celebrated chiefly in Latin America, Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba, Spain, and by Hispanics in the United States. It is typically celebrated each year between December 16 and December 24. Latin American countries have continued to celebrate the holiday, with very few changes to the tradition. People gather together waiting for the coming of the Lord, and share as one family delicious food, just as “tamales,” “horchata,” chocolate, or other candies.
You can also talk about “Las Parrandas,” which are celebrated in Puerto Rico during Christmas season. “A parranda (English: party or spree) is a Puerto Rican music tradition that takes place in Puerto Rico during the Christmas holiday season. Parrandas are social events that feature traditional Puerto Rican music, food, and drinks. They are associated with pride for the customs of the traditional Puerto Rican jíbaro. The traditional events have been likened to Christmas caroling, but the contents of the songs are secular rather than religious. They are sometimes carried out in the evening, but most traditionally occur in the night, even into the wee hours of the morning. The songs sung are almost exclusively aguinaldos.
In my home country Colombia, we celebrate this beautiful season with music, food, and dancing as well. Also, we celebrate this season with faith, praying that baby Jesus comes to our hearts and transform each one of us. We start Christmas season on December 7th, the evening before the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. That day, Colombians light the candles in honor to our Mother. This night is called “La Noche de las Velitas” (The Night of the Little Candles). Also that night, we light the Christmas lights and eat the traditional Colombian Christmas Dessert: Natilla y Buñuelo. I have done the Night of the Little Candles and shared this dessert with you. On December 16th, Colombians start to pray the Christmas Novena. We pray during nine days, asking the Lord to come soon to our lives. We finish this novena on December 24th. That night Colombians make a huge party: music, drinks, food, and of course the gifts. At midnight on December 25th, all people start to look at what the baby Jesus brought. By the way, Santa does not go to Colombia, but Baby Jesus. Why? I guess Santa is very busy in America. The party continues all night long until the evening of December 25th. People continues to have fun even after Christmas day, because the New Year’s Eve celebration is very similar to Christmas Eve. More dancing, more food, more drinks, more fun is around to receive the New Year. People after the traditional “Feliz Año Nuevo” (Happy New Year) continue dancing and having the rest of the day, and sometimes until January 6th, the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord.
I do not know how many of you knew my Colombian tradition, but I wanted to share with you. However, it does not matter how we celebrate Christmas. The most important thing is to celebrate Christmas with faith and prayer, and wishing that the Lord Jesus comes to our hearts.
Remember, The parish that we dream is the parish that I help to build.
God bless you, and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!
Fr. George
