Christmas
In Spain and the Region of Murcia
Introduction
The purpose of this event is:
• Remember the beginning of
redemption with the birth of
the Jesus. As this event
covers the entire life of
Jesus, celebrating Christmas
is to solemnize the initial
process of our salvation, our
Passover.
• Reflect on the love of God
that comes to men.
• And children, who have their
gifts, and above all, its
illusion.
History
• German legend has it that Martin Luther, founder of the
Protestant faith, he returned to Wittenberg in a quiet and cold
night vigil, decorating with candles a fir domestic small. He had a
fabulous impression. By observing the frozen trees of the
forest that glowed under the starlight, the Protestant was
amazed.
• Perhaps it was an attempt by the German Reformed church to
keep a pagan custom, live in the village, giving it a Christian
character.
• The custom is rooted in Germany and Scandinavia in the
sixteenth and seventeenth step from there to England.
• It is conceivable that the fir tree decorated in homes, could be
considered, in a sense, as a test of monarchical fidelity, all the
kings and princes who enjoyed this event in England.
CHRISTMAS CALENDAR
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December 24th: Christmas Eve.
December 25th: Christmas Day.
On 31st December: New Year's Eve.
On 1st January: New Year's Day.
On the night of January 5th: The
Three Wise Men Eve .
• On January 6th: Epiphany.
Christmas Eve
• According to tradition, on this day the Virgin Mary
and St. Joseph came to the inn where they were given
accommodation in the barn, and where in the morning
saw the birth of baby Jesus.
• On this day, in Spain celebrates the arrival of Santa
Claus, and the gifts it brings to children all over the
world. Although this event has been held for a few
years ago, and still is considered by all Spanish.
• Children are the so-called Christmas bonus, which is a
reward for singing Christmas carols from house to
house.
• In Spain, Christmas Eve, meets all the family to
dinner, and all together, held the day before and
coming of Christmas to the world and our hearts.
Christmas Day
• Normally, when past the bridge of the Constitution, in
Spain, began to adorn the streets and houses. The
streets are lit with colored lights, the windows are
filled with curious gifts, Christmas decorations and
toys, people gather further down the street and in
bars, well wrapped against the cold. Christmas
traditions in Spain shares the other states that
practice the Catholic religion. As in other parts of the
world, families gather to share and enjoy the joy of
this celebration. In any case, the idea is to meet to
share joy, goodwill, and friendship birth of Jesus. The
ornaments and employees to participate in these
events are similar in Europe and America food, drinks,
music, dance, and the custom of giving and sharing
what we have with others. But also the Spanish
Christmas is a unique celebration, traditions and
customs that reflect the true nature of Spain.
• An important symbol of Christmas in our country is
Bethlehem. The representations of the birth of Jesus
can be seen on the streets of cities and small towns
and also at the entrance of the houses and shop
windows. It is very Spanish common that are very
elaborate nativity scenes, to look as realistic as
possible. In many cities even contests to choose the
best. In many small towns, the night of Christmas
Eve, December 24, in the squares represents a crib
"live" with actors, actresses, and animals associated
with the birth of Jesus, a cow, a donkey and some
sheep.
• Moreover, in Spain, the children gathered this day his
gifts of Father Christmas, a tradition that is not very
revalued in our country.
New Year's Eve
• During the Christmas season, one of the most
important celebrations is the New Year, a dinner
party is often made in the last night of the year.
• At twelve o'clock at night, Spanish families eat 12
grapes of luck for the chimes that signal the change
of year. According to tradition, those who eat the
grapes in time will have 12 months of prosperity
during the coming year.
• It is also often held in the street; example, in the
Puerta del Sol in Madrid, one of the most popular
scenarios.
• It is celebrated with confetti, fireworks, loud noises,
... It is a tremendous party.
New Year Day
• It is the festival that celebrates the
beginning of a new year.
• Many Spanish families celebrate with a
meal together.
• Once the bells have rung, and the new
year, the Spanish call a wish for the new
year, in order to ensure compliance, and
for the coming year is better than the
last.
The Three Wise Eve
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It's another night in the Spanish families, picnicking together in honor
of the impending arrival of the Three Kings of Orient.
On this night the children, who have already sent a letter to their
Majesties asking your gifts, should be more good than all year tonight,
as it is the last chance for the Kings, not bring them coal. Eagerly
awaiting the arrival of their Majesties.
Every year, organizes the famous "Ride of the Kings", which is an event
that is based on a parade in which their majesties, accompanied by his
advisors, giving gifts to children from the "royal coaches.
The snack that is imposed on this day, is that of the famous in Spain,
King cake, a cute round, filled with cream, or chocolate cream with
candied fruit and sugar on top.
Comes with a Christmas card with the next steps, and the story of the
Magi, with a golden crown of cardboard, for children, and is filled with
small figurines of porcelain, or rings, ... referring to Christmas, and with
something very interesting, "the ABA.
According to tradition, who would tap into his piece aba, you have to pay
the roscón.
It's a fun snack for both children and adults, and above all, that is the
family.
How is the King cake?
Ingredients
- 500 g strong flour.
- 200 ml milk (lukewarm).
- 30 g fresh baker's yeast-a.
- 100 g aza second car.
- 2 eggs (one for glazing).
- 8 g salt (1 teaspoon).
- 100g butter (margarine better).
- Anise.
- 10 g of fortified powder panaderÃa (optional). Candied fruit (for garnish).
- A figurine (a surprise).
The Epiphany
• Tradition says that the three Magi from the East
when they came to worship the Christ Child, he was
given gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
• Children and senior citizens expect to repeat the
same gesture of generosity, therefore, on January 6
come from the East to bring gifts to all children who
have been good this year, if on the contrary, it has
been, not left with empty hands, but will receive much
more ... unwelcome but sweet gift: coal, although coal
sugar, so it is not so sad.
• Children must have written the letter with their
requests in advance before arrival.
The Decorations
• At Christmas, the homes are decorated,
fireplaces, doors, the tree ... It's all
decorated.
• The ornaments are: the crown, the Nativity
scene, socks on the fireplace, the Christmas
tree, wreaths, lights, ... and many more.
• Without decorate the houses and streets,
Christmas would not be Christmas.
The tree
• The Christmas tree comes from Germany and its first
references date from the sixteenth century. Until the
nineteenth century did not come to Britain, France, United
States, Puerto Rico, China and Japan. In Spain began to
penetrate the first quarter of the twentieth century and today
is rooted in most of Europe and Latin America.
• He is a decorated fir tree that represents light, hope and the
spirit of Christmas.
• In Spain, decorated with ornaments, lights, colorful balls,
streamers, ...
• Below it is where Santa Claus and the Three Kings, they leave
their gifts.
• The star motif is the most important, is the last to be placed, is
a symbol of happiness and a major recall the shooting star that
the Magi were pursuing to find the way to the messiah.
Christmas Sweets
• The sweet, can not miss Christmas, are very
familiar and there are times to get together a
lot, so at Christmas, snacks are put on the
table: polvorones, lardy, chocolates, marzipan,
nougat, almonds, wine donuts, cakes Easter or
orange, ...
• For employees of companies when it's
Christmas, in addition to the extra pay
obsequiarseles their part, were also treated
to a "Christmas Shopping", with sweets of all
kinds, wine, cider, ... everything you need to
feed the family in days so to meet.
Christmas Lotery
• Tambiéne is known as the Christmas special draw. One of the
most popular lotteries in Spain which is hold every December
22nd , and it usually takes place in the lottery room draws in
Madrid. The top prize is called “El Gordo” –the big one-, and you
can win up 300,000 euros for the tenth. The sales period for
this sweepstakes is the longest of the year because the
government numbers are the first weeks of July. It is therefore
not surprising that it is also the most sold and popular of the
Sweepstakes.
Curiosities of Christmas in The
Region of Murcia
• At Christmas, in the Region of Murcia, to
decorate the streets, like everywhere.
• There are many cribs celebrities here in our
region: the municipal Nativity Episcopal
Palace, the rock of cultural La Pava, cash in
the street crib Almansa, the living nativity
Raal. Murcia, Jesus Griñán and the birth of
the Plaza Santo Domingo.
• In Murcia gastronomy is excellent, so sweet,
nor are we evil. At Christmas, the most
famous sweets of the region, are cordial.
How are the almond balls?
• Ingredients
- 1k. Almond
- 6-7 eggs (depending on size)
- 600 grammes of sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Bases (especially if it is to be consumed at
Christmas)
- Scrapped lemon
Merry Christmas!!
Por: Elena Díaz Illán y Francisco J. Díaz Monserrate 4º Diver.