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| Before the 24th of
December, every family puts up the Belen (Nativity scene or Manger) with lots
of figures and houses. You will find them in nearly every home as well as in
churches and in many public places. Some people work on them throughout the
year and they are often handed down from generation to generation. We also put
up the tree with lots of decorations. All the streets of the cities in Spain
are decorated with lots of lights and Christmas trees. |
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| On the night of
the 24th, at 12 o'clock, church bells ring out on Noche Buena (Christmas Eve)
calling everyone to Misa del Gallo (Midnight Mass).During this mass there is a
choir of children singing Christmas carols. Before mass, people have a very big
meal with all their family. After the meal, families usually sing Spain's
famous carols, called "villancicos". The celebration continues until very early
in the morning. |
| On the 25th of
December, Christmas Day, the family joins together again and has a very big
lunch. Some people attend another church service. |
| On the 31st we
celebrate New Year's Eve. We have dinner, and at 12 o'clock at night we eat the
12 grapes. This is a very special tradition which is kept up by everyone in
Spain. When the clock strikes 12, we have to swallow the 12 grapes, one with
each strike of the bell. If we manage to swallow all the grapes, we will have
good luck during the New Year. After dinner, many people go to discos or
parties to celebrate the New Year with their friends and family. |
| Some families have
adopted the American Santa Claus or Papa Noel as he is known locally, as the
gift-bringer on Christmas Eve. |
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| The majority of
Spanish families continue to wait until January 6th for the traditional visit
of the Three Kings (Melcher, Gasper and Balthazar) Before Christmas, children
write letters stating all that they want for Christmas and send them to the
king that they like the most. On the Eve of the King's day, January 5th, the
Three Kings come from the Orient on their camels and bring lots of presents for
everyone. Every member of the family puts a shoe on the windowsill and the
Three Kings put the shoe on the floor and leave the person's presents around
the shoe. They visit hospital, orphanages and homes for the elderly as they
pass through Spain on their way to Bethlehem. The Spanish children have a great
fondness for the Three Kings, especially Balthazar. On the morning of the 6th
we open all the presents and children spend all day playing with their new
toys. |
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| At lunch, for
dessert, we eat a special cake called "Roscón", filled with lots of
whipped cream. Inside the cake there is a small surprise like a little figure
or a key ring. It is said that the person who gets the surprise has to buy and
pay for the next "Roscón". |
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| Before, Christmas
in Spain had a religious meaning but nowadays, for most people, it is only a
happy holiday that you spend with your family and a time when you get lots of
presents. |
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