CHRISTMAS

CHRISTMAS IN ECUADOR

TRADITIONS OR CUSTOMS

Christmas in Ecuador is a purely family and religious festival, it is the most important celebration of the year, as all families try to meet at dinner on December 24 where it is usual to eat turkey or pork main course and dessert pristine which rings are fried wheat flour dough, topped with brown sugar syrup.

        

Christmas night, at 24h00, the gifts previously brought "Santa Claus" for children and adults are divided, they generally found under the Christmas tree and delivered by one of those present. In some houses one of the adults is disguised as Santa Claus and comes with gifts in a sack and distributed. That tradition was common in the sixties and seventies.   

For being a Catholic country Ecuador, a very special activity is the development of births or Bethlehem, and Prayer Novena of Baby Jesus that takes place every night from December 16. This is a deeply rooted and families pray at their respective houses 8 days before Christmas Eve. That day, corresponding to the last of the ninth, they pray at home where they are to celebrate the dinner.   

      Groups are also organized to pray the novena, performing every day in a different group home; the children sing Christmas carols accompanied by small musicales instruments.

Midnight Mass: 24, really good and the 25th at 00:00 pm Midnight Mass is celebrated in all churches. It's a pretty long the busiest of the year and then Masses Mass but are made to each family child, or the child Jesus to do them until January 6.

Advent wreath: There are many households where members keep alive the custom of celebrating the beginning of the liturgical year with Advent wreath. During the pre-December 25 four Sundays, the family gathers around it to remember scriptures and do some prayers, while their light candles.

The revelation: the accompaniment is awake by devotees and relatives to sculpture the image of the child Jesus, the eve of the Mass is performed.

MUSIC

Christmas has associated huge songs of all kinds and of all genres amount, this helps to make Christmas one of the most joyous holidays, but above all, dearest. Christmas songs and carols are known.

Ecuador has an abundant production of Christmas carols and songs, many attributed to foreign or anonymous authors, but the reality is that the list of Ecuadorian composers dedicated to perpetuate in words and music the birth of Jesus is extensive. In addition to Bustamante, Garzon Bautista and include, among others, Hermenegildo Rodriguez Parra, Jose Nicolas Rodriguez, Jose Vanegas, Middle Cave and Second Moreno.

With them, priests as Hernán Pinzón, John Macias, Medardo Mora and Hugo Vázquez Angel Almazan, who pastored in Guayaquil and died in April 2008. He composed about 36 carols, most of which Ecuador, its regions and cities were stage Nativity of the Son of God. For example, Christmas Eve in San Miguel de Bolivar in La Chala Christmas, Christmas Quito and Andean cradle song.

CHRISTMAS IN OTHER COUNTRIES

Christmas is celebrated differently in different countries. Tell the children the differences and similarities in the way to celebrate the holidays is a way to understand the meaning of Christmas. Also, learn about other traditions is interesting for children to broaden their perspective activity. This fosters respect for other nationalities and cultures.

In Germany dolls fruit and gingerbread houses are prepared. The gifts are opened on Christmas Day after singing the traditional Christmas carol "Silent Night".

Ireland are typical decorations with candles. It stands at the entrance to a large house or window. It is a symbol of welcome to the Holy Family. This candle is to be lit by the youngest member of the house.

In Italy, Christmas is a family feast. The typical sweet is the Panettone, a loaf of sweet bread with fruit. The Italians finish the year having dinner a plate of lentils to promote wealth. On January 6 the Befana, a good witch, visits the children and distributed them sweets.

Christmas in the United States begins the day after Thanksgiving. Santa Claus parade marks the shopping season. They collect gifts on Christmas Day into socks.

Countries that celebrate Christmas in summer vary some customs. The Christmas menus are adapted to the climate. For many Australians celebrate usual dinner on the beach or elsewhere outdoors.