Christmas Around the World: Brazil

Christmas means cold-weather fun for many parts of the world, but in Brazil, Santa turns in his fur-lined coat, hat, and warm boots for warm-weather silks! That's just the beginning. Christmas in Brazil is a diverse celebration of many cultures and heritages that mirrors our own in some ways, but is vastly different in others.

Brazil started out as a colony of the Portuguese, which is the official language of Brazil. Because of this, the most common Christmas tradition, the presepio, will likely be an enduring one. Presepio refers to the bed of straw that Jesus was laid upon at birth, and thus, the nativity scene is central to most who celebrate Christmas.

Catholics attend a Midnight Mass (Missa de Galo) on Christmas Eve night, and then on Christmas Day, late afternoon masses are held so that people sleeping late after midnight mass can rest, or go to the beach, as it is Summer time during Christmas in Brazil. Afterward, traditional Christmas dinner is served, consisting of turkey, ham, vegetables, colored rice, and fruit dishes. It is known as "Cela de Natal", and is held in homes across Brazil, amongst decorations of Christmas trees, fresh flowers, and other decorations.

Outside, most decorations consist of nativity scenes (presepios) or huge Christmas trees made from strings of electric lights. Festivities are held to enjoy the decorations, folk dancing, singing, and the holiday spirit until January 6, which is when the three wise men visited baby Jesus to give their gifts. It is know as Three Kings Day.

Santa Claus is known as Papa Noel, and wears silken clothes to keep cool in the heat. Children leave their shoes outside, in hopes that Papa Noel will fill them with candy and small treats. Parents hide presents throughout the house, but children must first make breakfast for their parents and serve it to them in bed before they can be opened. That sounds like a tradition I would love to introduce to my family!

One of the most popular events in Brazil is the Christmas of Light event. It was started in 1986, by Elezar de Carvalho, who was one of Brazil's greatest conductors. Through the years, the Christmas of Light event has evolved into a complex, light-filled show, that involves over 2000 volunteers to prepare. And with a green theme, it's popularity only rises. Decorations are made using recycled soda bottles, collected year round at Gramado schools, and the decorations are reused year after year, causing the event to grow larger and more glorious with time. Natal Luz, or Christmas of Light, usually runs from mid-November to mid-January. For 2009, the Christmas Village has been totally renovated for Santa's arrival from Finland.

Families looking for travel at Christmas might consider Brazil a warm alternative to snowy Christmases in the United States and similar countries. For those of us not so fortunate to be able to travel at Christmas, perhaps breakfast in bed will be a nice break. So, as they say in Brazil, "Feliz Natal"! Merry Christmas to you and yours!