HISPANIC CHRISTMAS

HISPANIC CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

Hispanic holiday traditions give Latina children the chance to celebrate the holidays well into the new year.

Written by ELISA CUERVO CLARK

Elisa Cuervo Clark is the CEO of Spanglish Media Groupe, LLC. She is an award winning writer, director and producer. She contributes articles to the magazine to increase mainstream attention to the Latinx community.

Whoever coined the phrase, the best of both worlds truly knew what they were talking about. Growing up in a mixed household, I not only celebrated the birth of Jesus while anticipating good ol Santa sliding down the chimney with a big bag of gifts, I also got to enjoy many

Latino celebrations and festivities that last well into the new year.

Latino holiday celebrations are big, with family and friends, and sometimes, depending on where you live, entire neighborhoods come together to eat, drink, sing and dance until the wee hours of the morning. Most Hispanic traditions come from a religious background. However, it's interesting to see which ones have stayed religiously based and which have morphed into more social celebrations.

Here are a few Latina holiday activities courtesy of https://bilinguallyyours.com: #1 Día de la Inmaculada Concepción

December 8th

El Día de la Inmaculada Concepción celebrates two things. Religiously speaking, it honors the Virgin Mary and is a celebration of the fact that she was conceived, born, and lived until her death without sin.

The date, December 8th, was chosen because it's exactly nine months before she was born on September 8th. Beyond that, however, this holiday is the official start of the Christmas season in many Spanish-speaking countries. Once December 8th rolls around you can expect to see Christmas decorations, and nativity scenes, and hear villancicos straight on until Three Kings' Day on January 6th.

#2 Las Posadas

December 16th – 24th

Las Posadas is mainly celebrated in Mexico and Central America during the nine days leading up to Christmas. Why nine? Because that's how long it took Mary and Joseph to make it to Bethlehem (or Belén). Starting December 16th, people reenact the trip. Some dress up in costume and have a pregnant Mary ride a donkey while asking for a place to stay (pedir posada) at various houses. Again, depending on the family or region, friends and family pray, get together, hit a piñata, and share food and drink.

#3 Parranda

Want to combine Christmas carols, musical instruments, and waking up your fellow friends and family late at night? Then Puerto Rico has your number. Parrandas are groups of people who go from house to house late at night singing Christmas carols, are invited in for some food, and then move to the next house as the group gets bigger and bigger.

#4 Tamaladas

For many Spanish-speaking Christmas lovers, Christmas isn't complete without tamales. Mexico and many other tamale-making countries have tamaladas around Christmas time. Tamaladas is a full-day affair where friends and family gather together to (socialize and...) make tamales. Yum.

#5 Nochebuena

Christmas Eve

Where English-speaking countries typically place importance on Christmas Day, many Hispanic countries place the focus on Christmas Eve. That's the day for large family gatherings and opening presents, while Christmas Day is calm and lowkey.

Hispanic Christmas is a celebration of family and life with over 20 days of events,.

#6 Misa del Gallo

Midnight Mass La Misa del Gallo is a Christmas Eve midnight mass. It's named Rooster Mass because some people believe a rooster crowed the night Jesus was born. There's that and the idea that a rooster crows to start a new day -as in Christmas Day.

#7 Dia de los Reyes Magos

Three Kings' Day Three Kings' Day Lastly, January 6th is Three Kings' Day, also called Epiphany in English. It celebrates the arrival of the Three Wise Men -Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar- and the gifts they gave to el Niño Jesus. This is another gift-giving occasion for kids and the close to the holiday season. ●

Hispanic music offers festive sounds for the holiday season.