The Christmas is celebrated in Latin America on December 24th
Christmas is celebrated in Latin America on December 24th and is called “La Nochebuena” which loosely translated means Holy Night.
The Spaniards left a profound religious and cultural impact all over Latin America during the time of the conquest and the people speak Spanish everywhere as well as their Indian dialects.
The majority of the Christmas traditions are therefore Spanish in origin, but each country does add their own regional customs and foods.
Christmas is a religious celebration of the birth of Christ and in reality there is no real emphasis on Santa Claus or gift giving. Many homes do have a Christmas tree but there always is a very beautiful Nativity scene set up beside the tree. The Nativity has very intricate details and usually includes a lake
made from a mirror where ducks and geese are “floating”.
Jesus and Mary and of course the baby Jesus, are beautiful figurines which have been handed down through the generations and are treasured family heirlooms. The children enjoy spending several days setting up the Nativity and the display is always something of much admiration by everyone who comes to visit during these holidays.
The Christmas feast is huge and is served early in the evening before going to Christmas mass at midnight. The church will also have beautiful Nativity scenes and pine trees decorated with flowers and red ribbon.
The food so lovingly prepared is Spanish in it’s origin but it varies of course with regional delicacies added from country to country.
The recipes were brought to the Americas by the nobility and the Spanish nuns of the different orders.
The nuns in Latin America are famous for conserving the Spanish culinary traditions. They are well know for their artistry in the kitchen preparing pastries and cookies and beverages in the Spanish style.
