Hispanics Keep Christmas Traditions Alive

By Alfonso Aguilar
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 12/12/02)

For Hispanic families living in the United States the celebration of Christmas is one of the most important religious days of the year and a tradition that has kept its essence although often mixed with the traditions of this country.

Many Spanish-speaking countries have specific customs to remember the birth of Jesus, but there are traditions that are common to all of them and continue to be honored in this country during the last two weeks of the year.

Families attend a midnight Mass, called Misa de Gallo or Misa de la Aurora (Mass at dawn), because it coincides with the time cocks announce a new day. This special Mass is celebrated in Latin America at midnight, followed by a dinner. Dinner is served after prayers, silent invocations, hugs and an exchange of gifts. In addition, the Baby Jesus is solemnly lulled by carols and kisses.

In this country the Mass is celebrated three or more hours earlier because the traditional American evening family dinner is served no later than 9 p.m. Many Catholic Hispanics keep the tradition of a dinner after attending a 10 p.m. Mass.

In terms of family, this special Christmas dinner gathers all members of the family, including those who were away from work or school, or other reasons. Standing around the nativity scene or the dinner table, family members pay special attention to the words of the head of the family, celebrating both their faith and the fact that they are alive and together. The honor goes first to the father; in his absence, the speech is given by the mother or the oldest sibling. As a symbol of respect, grandparents also are asked to express themselves and bless the dinner.

In addition to family members, it is common to see friends and neighbors gathered around the table, an aspect remembered with nostalgia by Hispanics.

"For the majority of Hispanic families, Christmas is a time when we remember with solemnity and deep faith the birth of God’s son," said Deacon Claudio F. Benedi of the St. Thomas More Cathedral in Arlington. "During Christmas we send a loving message to those in and out of the family, and pray an invocation for those who have passed away."

For Father José Hoyos, pastor of Holy Family in Dale City, Hispanics share special devotions for Christmas either at home or in their parishes, "but they celebrate here with nostalgia, lamenting the bad weather and the individualism vs. massive celebrations on the streets with hundreds of friends from their neighborhoods."

"Christmas in this country is more reflexive, contemplative and religious; in our countries it is more fiesta and fiesta, with many previous days of fiestas," said Father Hoyos.

Before Christmas night, it is a Hispanic tradition to have posadas, pastorelas and novenarias (carols sung in churches and processions) to announce the coming of Christmas, and families and friends visit one another in their homes. These are celebrations with food, theatre, piñatas and villancicos (carols). The posadas celebrate the biblical journey of Mary and Joseph on their search for a place to stay. The pastorelas are theatrical pieces about the events before the birth of Jesus; these include nativity scenes and shepherds protecting the holy family from devils.

Christmas food is a question of nationality and family taste. The menu varies from tamales (corn bread filled with pork, chicken or mole) to lechón asado (roasted pork dish) to special chicken, sometimes in celery sauce with potatoes and rice.

"In our family we have the tradition of celebrating Christmas in just one house, either ours or in one of our siblings," said Onofre Gutierrez, a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament whose family cooks two big gallinas rellenas (stuffed hens) for Christmas dinner. "The most important thing is to be together because Christmas is a special moment for the family and for our religion." 

Copyright ©2002 Arlington Catholic Herald.  All rights reserved.