My Gift to You—A Free Book—’The 12 Countries of Christmas’!
Welcome to Peru—the 9th “Country of Christmas”!
Lights are a symbol of Christmas and so are nativity scenes.
In Peru, nativity scenes are considered the most important Christmas decorations. They are called pesebre and are intricately carved from stone or wood.
“Gifts are spread around the manger, rather than a tree, and it’s considered lucky to be the one chosen to put the figurine of Baby Jesus into the manger on Christmas Eve.”
Green Global Travel
That’s what I call keeping Jesus at the center of Christmas! Spreading gifts around the manger symbolizes the importance and centrality of faith in Peru.
I do wonder if there are any alpacas among the animals in the nativity scenes in Peru.
When Does Baby Jesus Arrive?
Growing up in our home in the U.S., gifts were always placed underneath the Christmas tree—not around the nativity scene.
In our home, we had a nativity set, but Baby Jesus was always placed in his manger as soon as the figurines were removed from the plastic tote in our basement storage.
It wasn’t until I moved overseas at the age of 19 that I learned the nativity tradition in many parts of the world. Baby Jesus is often placed in the manger on Christmas Eve, symbolizing his birth and arrival on earth.
Like many places in the world, Peru also practices this same cultural and religious tradition— placing Baby Jesus in the manger on Christmas Eve.
But, that’s not all they do on Christmas Eve in Peru.
“December 24th, which is known as La Noche Buena (“the Good Night”), is the main day for celebrations. After mass, families go home to feast, open gifts, and toast each other at midnight.”
Green Global Travel
After toasting on
MERRY CHRISTMAS, Peru!
—THE CULTURAL STORY-WEAVER
My Gift to You—A Free Book—’The 12 Countries of Christmas’!
LET’S WEAVE CULTURES!
What about you? What are some interesting Christmas traditions in your family or culture, or in other countries you have visited?
We invite you to tell us your own cultural stories and global adventures . . . as you engage with the world, breaking down barriers, building bridges, and “weaving cultures”! Write about them in the comment box below.
