A Colombian Christmas

It´s Xmas eve, and soon after travelling for 2.5 hrs from Popayan and arriving into Cali at 2pm, I got whooshed off immediately to a Colombian family Xmas gathering (Luis' girlfriend´s family), before heading over later in the night for another Xmas gathering with Luis´ family.

Luis´Family Xmas Gathering

It is interesting to see how Xmas is celebrated here in Colombia, as it seems just like our traditionally huge family gathering during the Chinese New Year, but instead of receiving ang pows, one get presents from under a Xmas tree at around the stroke of midnight (transitioning from Xmas eve to Xmas day), and with everyone ripping apart the wrapping paper to see what appears underneath.




I found it also interesting that each house has an area set aside for displaying of the setting where baby Jesus was born in a barn, with the sheeps and shephers in the background, using small little iconograms (some with more toy like characters, while others may have more human-shaped like characters).  During these gatherings, about half and hour is set aside for the ¨reading¨ of prayers and verses to reiterate the story of the birth of Jesus, along with the singing of some Xmas hymnes and songs within each family.

Luis & I

 And even though it was Xmas, I wasn´t expecting any presents since I was in a foreign land, so when my name was read out when Luis´ family was distributing the presents from under the Xmas tree, I was pleasantly surprised that Luis had bought a small gift for me, so that I don´t get left out on this day!  Such a sweet thought!

Dinner time at 12.30am!

My Xmas Present!