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Guatemala
- Christmas traditions & customs |
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For nine days before Christmas, posada processions pass
through the streets. The beat of drums and the crackle
of fireworks provide lively accompaniment as the figures
of Mary and Joseph are carried to a friend's house,
where a carol is sung asking for lodging for the Holy
Family. After ritual questions and answers, the doors
are opened and Mary and Joseph are taken to the
nacimiento, or manger scene, where they will remain
until the next night, when they once again go out
seeking shelter. Everyone who accompanies the figures on
their quest makes a great party with punch and hot
tamales and dancing once the goal is accomplished. On
Christmas Eve, the figure of the Christ Child is added
to the nacimiento at the last of the nine houses to
receive the Holy Family. This is the signal for the
biggest party of all, and the home selected had better
be a large one, since everyone who was involved over the
last nine days will show up on this night. The Christmas
tree has joined the nacimiento as a popular ornament
because of the large German population in Guatemala.
Gifts are left under the tree on Christmas morning by
the Christ Child for the children. Parents and adults do
not exchange gifts until New Year's Day. Midnight Mass
on Christmas Eve follows the posada and is in turn
followed by a full supper.
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