Hello ! We are pupils at Cervantes school and we would like to tell you how we celebrate Christmas in our country

Christmas is a deeply religious holiday in Spain.

Our patron saint is the Virgin Mary and the Christmas season officially begins December 8 th , the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

The nativity sceneThe nativity sceneOne symbol of Christmas for us is the Nativity scene. Every home, town and church have a “belén”.

Some are animated and illuminated and draw huge crowds. .

Singing Christmas CarolsSinging Christmas CarolsSinging carolsSinging carols is a is a traditional activity traditional activity at Chritmas.at Chritmas.

Among typical Among typical musical instruments musical instruments are the are the panderetaspanderetas..

December 24, Christmas December 24, Christmas Eve  Eve 

Christmas EveChristmas Eve in Spain is in Spain is called called “Nochebuena”,“Nochebuena”, and and it is celebrated with two it is celebrated with two very important traditions, very important traditions, eating a nice eating a nice mealmeal, and , and going to going to Christmas mass, Christmas mass, called “misa del Gallo ” or called “misa del Gallo ” or Rooster Mass.Rooster Mass.

December 25, Christmas December 25, Christmas Day Day 

Christmas dayChristmas day is more or less a is more or less a continuation of what began the day continuation of what began the day before.  We spend time with our families before.  We spend time with our families and we eat another large meal.and we eat another large meal.

  For dessert, there is quite a spread of For dessert, there is quite a spread of delicacies, among them are delicacies, among them are turrónturrón and and mazapánmazapán,, desserts made of honey, egg desserts made of honey, egg and almonds that are Arabic in origin.  and almonds that are Arabic in origin. 

   

December 31, New Year's December 31, New Year's EveEve   

New Year’s Eve New Year’s Eve is is known as “ known as “ NocheviejaNochevieja”. ”. When the clock strikes 12, When the clock strikes 12, we eat we eat 12 grapes12 grapes, one , one for each toll of the bell. for each toll of the bell. 

According to tradition, According to tradition, those who eat the grapes those who eat the grapes will have 12 months of will have 12 months of prosperity in the new prosperity in the new year. year. 

January 5, Three King's January 5, Three King's ParadeParade

On January 5th , children go to a On January 5th , children go to a parade where they see the parade where they see the threethree kingskings arrive to their town. arrive to their town.

Thousands of Thousands of sweetssweets are thrown are thrown from the floats by the kings to all from the floats by the kings to all the people who come out to the people who come out to watch. watch.

January 6, Three King's Day January 6, Three King's Day

This day is the long This day is the long awaited day in which awaited day in which the three Kings the three Kings (Los (Los Reyes Magos)Reyes Magos) bring bring the the giftsgifts. . 

We celebrate the Feast We celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany when of the Epiphany when the Three Kings the Three Kings MechiorMechior, , GasparGaspar, and , and BalthasarBalthasar, arrived in , arrived in Bethlehem. Bethlehem.

For breakfast or after lunch, For breakfast or after lunch, we have the typical dessert of we have the typical dessert of the day, the the day, the ““RoscónRoscón de de ReyesReyes”, a large ring shaped ”, a large ring shaped cake .cake .

It is decorated with It is decorated with candied candied fruitsfruits, symbolic of the , symbolic of the emeralds and rubies that emeralds and rubies that adorned the robes of the adorned the robes of the three kings.  three kings.  

Somewhere inside the cake Somewhere inside the cake there is there is a surprise.   a surprise.