Felíz Navidad

Spain celebrates Christmas in 4 parts:-

2. “Nochebuena” Christmas Eve

4. “Los Reyes” Three Kings Day

3. “El año nuevo” New Years

1. “Las Posadas” – 16/12 -24/12

1. LAS POSADAS

Fiestas, which represent Joseph and Mary's arduous pilgrimage on their way to Bethlehem, and there are nine posadas, from the 16 to the 24 of December, because theysymbolize Mary's nine months of pregnancy

PASTORELAS

The Pastorelas in Mexico starts as

simple parables of the struggle of

good against evil. The light, humor-filled pastorelas

are reenactments of the shepherds' adoration of the

Christ Child

2. “ Nochebuena “ (Christmas Eve)

•Family time at home•Meal of cold seafood and cold meats

•Followed by baked fish and potatoes

• Then roast lamb or suckling pig

•Dessert = “túrron” (nougat with almonds) or “polvorones” ( ground almond biscuits with marzipan)

FLOR DE NOCHE BUENA (Poinsettias) Native to Mexico

In Náhuatl they were called Cuitlaxochitl or star flowers

In Spanish they are known as Noche Buena

•Children receive only one present on Christmas Eve• At midnight, people go to church for midnight mass

• Most towns display a “belén” (nativity display)

3. El año nuevo

•Tradition to wear red underwear !!

• Fireworks and fancy dress in the evening.

• Eat 12 grapes at midnight

4. “Los Reyes” (Three Kings Day) 6 de enero

                                                                                                                 

• Children leave straw & barley in their shoes the night before to feed the camels which the Three Kings ride

• The Three Kings empty the shoes and leave presents

•Processions in the streets and sweets are thrown

• Eat “Rosca del Reyes” (cake with plastic toys or charms inside)

•Other activities in the lead-up to Christmas8th Dec “Immaculada” (beginning of the religious celebrations

21st Dec “Hogueras” (bonfires)

22nd Dec “El Gordo” (Lottery). The largest in the world

28th Dec “Santos Inocentes” (Same as “April Fool’s Day and people play practical jokes on each other)

Christmas blessings – las bendiciones de Navidad

Christmas spirit - el espíritu Navideño

Christmas wishes – deseos de la Navidad

Happy holidays - Felices fiestas

warm wishes from ___– Un caluroso saludo desde __

with our sincerest wishes – con nuestros sinceros deseos

blessings for your home - bendición para su hogar

warm wishes – deseo cordial

loved ones - seres queridos

Baby Jesus – al Niño Jesús

The Three Kings – los Tres Reyes Magos

peace on earth – la paz para todo el mundo

Hanukkah – Janucá

menorah – menorá

to light candles – encender velas

El kwanzaa – Kwanzaa

La kinara - kinara

New Year - El año nuevo

El Gordo

El turrón

La Rosca de Reyes

Las posadas Santos Innocentes

joy/happiness – alegria

peace – paz

light – luz

bright – brillante

hope – esperanza

holiday – fiesta

celebration – celebración

Christmas eve - Noche Buena

congratulations (all the best) – Felicidades

Santa Claus – Papá Noel

bell/sleighbell – cascabel

Christmas tree – árbol de Navidad

Christmas wreath – Corona de Navidad

candle – vela

star – estrella

angel – angel

manger (scene) – pesebre

snow – nieve

reindeer – reno

rejoice – alegrar

wonder – maravilla

gifts – regalos snowman – hombre de nieve