Christmast

CHRISTMAST IN ECUADOR

Origin of the party
In Ecuador still traditions inherited from Spain as the Advent wreath are preserved, the ninth to the Child Jesus and the Masses of Christmas. However, there are frequent Nordic Christmas traditions like the Christmas tree or Christmas dinner with turkey, original of the United States.
In Ecuador, we have been influenced by both the Spanish and the American culture to celebrate Christmas. Ninth tradition is still preserved the Child Jesus, where adults and children go to church or gather in homes to sing Christmas carols and read some verses from the Bible.
Our country has managed custom brought by the Spanish conquistadors. The arrangement "nativity scenes" has been traditional in Catholic families, which dominated the figures the presence of cribs, because the figures of Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus are complemented with the interpretation of carols during the inns or calls novenas, prayers that are performed nine days before the feast of the Nativity.

Food

• Baked turkey

• Roast pork with pineapple

• Green rice

• Christmas rice

• Russian salad

• Plum sauce

• pristine

Music

Traditions and Activities

• Christmas tree: it is adorned with light bulbs, lights, figures and a star on the top of the tree.

• Birth or cribs: The Birth done with moss, rocks, dirt, animals and figures are porcelain or which are more rustic wood and are beautiful.

• The ninth: The December 16th begins the ninth, that is done with the family, but some churches have a habit of asking households borrowed. Then people go to pray in a house and there is sung, poems by the coming of the Christ child engaged. December 24 would correspond to the last of the ninth, they pray at home where they are to celebrate the dinner.

• Good night's dinner: On 24 December at twelve o'clock when the whole family is together dining. At the dinner, the turkey, the stuffing, the other dishes (rice or salads) or vary in each city family is preferred.

• Midnight Mass: On December 24, most families attend midnight mass, but in very few churches is done at midnight, Masses are usually between 21:00 and 22:00. During these Masses many families place the image of Jesus at the altar to ultimately be blessed by the priest.

• Exchanging gifts or Secret Friend: A very peculiar aspect among Ecuadorians besides deliver gifts between family, playing secret friend in the workplace or education, in order to wish a Happy Easter and strengthen one year Moreover, the bonds of friendship.

CHRISTMAST IN GREECE

As majority Christian Orthodox country, Greece is a place where Christmas is celebrated in large and unabashedly. Their customs are part of ancient traditions that are relived every year in the heat of the celebrations for the birth of Jesus. Then we will know some of the interesting distinctive elements of the Christmas Greece.

 

On December 24, the day of Christmas Eve, all children wake up in the morning ready and excited to begin a special day.

 

House to house carrying their calandas, songs and poems alluding to the holidays, and are accompanied by the sound of trigonas, a triangle of steel tinkles using a wand of the same material. In homes, the fruit are known and typical desserts like kourabiedes, some cookies sweetened popular.

 

On December 25, before dawn, the most traditional families get up to go to church. During lunch they start to appear on the table the typical Christmas delicacies: galopoula (turkey stuffed with chestnuts, raisins, walnuts and almonds) with baked potatoes is one of the most watched options.

 

Unlike the known in many countries, the Greeks did not have Christmas trees. In return, they perform breathtaking shaped wooden models of sailing ships and there is traditional balls hanging all we usually see in the snowy pines. Another difference is that it has nothing to do with Santa Claus, and therefore no gifts are distributed.

 

It is only on 1 January arriving gifts, but the hand of San Basilio. The first day of the year, lunch is closed with a vassilopita, a special type of bread that is made from lemon zest and butter, which is creamy, with a delicious citrus flavor.