Christmas in México

Between the flashing Christmas lights and piñatas, you can find nacimientos - nativities on display here in México during the Christmas season. 

In México, many families participate in a posada - commonly a re-enactment of Mary & Joseph looking for an inn in Bethlehem.  Each family in a neighborhood will schedule a night to host the posada during a 9-day period, leading up to December 24th.  Each night, the group of pereginos - pilgrims wander from house to house with lit candles, looking for a place to stay.  They make their request through a special song.  Then they are turned away, until they reach the home of the host, where they pray the Rosary and sing hymns of praise in front of the nativity.  Then the children are blindfolded and try to break open a piñata with a stick.  The piñata is often full of candies, fruit, and peanuts usually accompanied by a regional hot ponche - punch for the adults.

This year, our mission, Cristo Resuscitado, offered special activities during this joyous Christmas season. The events included decorating the church, a Christmas for Kids night, and a fellowship potluck with a piñata for the children (and adults). In preparation for these activities, several of our prospects introduced some Christmas traditions to us. We discovered that children enjoy little wrapped candies and mandarin oranges along with freshly cut sugar cane as a special gift in addition to our homemade cookies. 

Regarding decorations, we found out the nativity scenes can become quite detailed including ponds made out of foil to house ducks surrounded by paper palm trees. Much work is put into setting up the nativity, but baby Jesus isn't placed in the manger until midnight.  This is connected to the family custom of rocking baby Jesus late Christmas Eve after a special meal. 

It is a challenge to distinguish between family traditions and religious customs.  As a mission, we are slowly developing our own congregational Christian traditions with input from the members and prospects focused on Jesus Christ our Savior.

We were delighted to almost have standing room only for our special Noche Buena - Christmas Eve Service and 21 for our Sunday morning Christmas Day service.

May God continue to bless the efforts of telling the story of Jesus around the world!

Christmas -- Dourados, Brazil

When considering Christmas customs in Brazil, you have to realize that it is a big country, with many very distinct regions. Food and customs are different by region. They are also different among the many ethnic groups, nationalities and religions that live in Brazil. But there seem to be three things that all regions have in common, perhaps excepting the Amazonian Indians.

Christmas presents are a must in Brazil. Everyone gives presents to as many people as they feel necessary. So right now, two weeks before Christmas, shopping is the big activity - in all parts of Brazil.

The second common custom is family visits. This is similar to the United States, except that here in the southern hemisphere summer vacation has just begun, so the visits can be prolonged. Many companies give collective holidays from the week before Christmas to the week after New Year's Day. City government also closes down for that period, and health posts are left with very few doctors, which is the down side of the custom. What a wonderful time to either visit or receive visitors! (But not a good time to get sick.)

Family

The third common custom is food, but here it is restricted to the Christmas Eve supper. A hold-over from the Catholic midnight mass, all people seem to think that the Christmas Eve supper should happen after midnight, no matter what their religious beliefs. What happens then is that the whole night is taken up, first by the supper and then by night long visiting. The weather is warm, the doors and windows are open, and in many neighborhoods people are in and out of each others' homes all night.

Public Market

In our congregation we try to have several Christmas services over a two week period, to give everyone a chance to worship the Savior at least one.

Youth Group Practicing Christmas Musical

Feliz Natal!

Christmas -- Medellín, Colombia

Literally thousands of lights deck the city, from small windows in homes to great expansions over the river. It could be called the city of lights at Christmas time in Medellín, Colombia.

Commercialism has crept into a city where years ago the focal point of Christmas was the pesebre (manger scene). Now you can see blown up Santas along with the sleigh and reindeer, as well as stores full of “stuff”.

However in the homes of the members of La Santa Trinidad congregation, the pesebre is still the focal point. A pesebre that is without Baby Jesus until December 24th. A pesebre whose figurines slowly are moved, making their way to Bethlehem from December 16th until the 24th. This is the time of the posada, 9 days before Jesus’ birth. Tradition is that the children go around to various homes in their neighborhood where they will hear a short devotion, have a snack, sing songs and receive a small gift. It is a time of great excitement.

In our churches, our people are also preparing for Jesus' birthday. A pageant of the Savior’s birth is being practiced. Special choirs gather to learn songs of joy and praise. Their focus is real, they are celebrating the birthday of their Savior, a Savior who came to live, and die, and rise again for all of their sins. Jesus, the TRUE Light of the world has come. That light in their heart and lives is the only one that counts, and makes Christmas what it truly is.

¡Feliz Navidad!

Feliz Natal! ¡Feliz Navidad! Joyeux Noël!

Christmas greetings from Brazil, Bolivia, the Caribbean, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Haiti, & Mexico!

"But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." - Luke 2:10-11 (NIV © 2010)

God's richest blessings to you throughout this joyous season and in 2011!

The LATTE Team

- Larry & Kay 
- Larry & Marlene 
- Phil & Kathy 
- Natán & Julia