| Christmas in Spain
|
| |
|
|
The land of the flamenco has it all. Ranging from the undulating slopes of the Pyrenees to the sandy beaches of the Costa de la Luz to the forest cover in Galicia and the great expanse of the Castile plains,
Spain offers the very best to its tourists.
Spain seems to have incorporated all the differences willfully and allocated them separate spheres within itself thereby creating a beautiful amalgamation which manifests itself so | |
very dearly through its conflicting Mudejar and medieval Jewish temple architecture. Come and enjoy Christmas in Spain and turn it into a memorable experience.
Christmas in Spain is an enchanting experience. Spain’s patron saint is Virgin Mary and the Christmas season officially commences on December 8 with the feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is celebrated each year in front of the great Gothic cathedral in Seville where a ceremony follows popularly known as the los Seises or the "dance of six." This forms a holiday tradition and nowadays ten not six costumed boys perform a series of precise movements and gestures to entertain the crowd.
On Christmas Eve (Nochebuena or "the Good Night.") family members rejoice and feast around the Nativity scenes that adorn each household. A traditional Christmas treat the turron, a kind of almond candy is then distributed.
December 28 is the feast of the Holy Innocents when young boys of a town or village light bonfires and one of them acts as the mayor who orders townspeople to perform civic chores such as sweeping the streets. Refusal to comply results in fines, which are used to pay for the celebration. Cows are revered, as it is believed that when Mary gave birth to Jesus the cow in the stable breathed on the Baby Jesus to keep him warm.
The children of Spain receive presents on the feast of the Epiphany. It is believed that the Magis travel through the countryside reenacting their journey to Bethlehem every year and the children leave their shoes on the windowsills and fill them with straw, carrots, and barley with the hope that they would be filled up with presents. On Christmas or Navidad, people attend masses, exchange presents and make merry. On Christmas Eve, tiny oil lamps are lit in every house, and the streets fill with dancers and onlookers. A special Christmas dance called the Jota is performed on this day.
For more details on Christmas in Spain log on to our site 123Christians.
| |
|
| |
| |
|
| |
|
