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“What’s the Christmas lottery?” I asked my friend.
“You don’t know about the Christmas lottery?!” he asked, surprised.
“No,” I replied.
This is our third Christmas in Spain, but we obviously haven’t learned about all of the cultural traditions in this land.
Among other things, we have discovered “Three Kings’ Day” on January 6, the scrumptious kings’ cake, the intricate belen nativity sets, the interesting “man who poops” in the scene of the birth of Christ to reveal nature’s humanity.
We have learned about all of those Spanish Christmas traditions.
I thought we had learned it all.
But no! Clearly not!
It seems there is always more to learn. Even in my “passport” country, my home culture, my native language . . . there is always more to learn.
So, what do I do when I don’t know something? I ask questions. I put on my curiosity mindset. I get out my cultural awareness glasses.
My Gift to You—Get Your Free Book—”The 12 Countries of Christmas”!
“What is the Christmas lottery?” I asked.
Everywhere I go, I see lines of people trailing across the streets. They are slowly inching their way to the small office window, clearly eager to buy something. I also see these little stands in hospital lobbies and shopping malls. The are everywhere.
What exactly are these people so impatient to buy? What are they so determined to get their hands on that they would be willing to wait hours in a long line outside in the freezing cold?
Money! It’s all about money!
What’s El Gordo?
In Spain, the Christmas lottery is called “El Gordo,” which means “fat, overweight, or plump.” The lucky winner is announced each year on December 22, a much-loved and long-awaited event in this country.
It’s serious business!
Christmas is the most beautiful time of the year, and definitely in Spain. In this beautiful country it has been the most popular lottery for many decades. It’s actually one of the greatest traditions in Spain. Millions of people love to play it with their family and friends. A lottery win would mean a great beginning of the year!
El Spanish Lottery
I’m not sure if these figures are accurate, but “El Spanish Lottery” says that the total number of prizes given out this year is 2.4 billion euros. The “fat” jackpot is apparently 4 million euros. Not bad!
Maybe I need to consider fully integrating culturally in Spain and jump on board.
Everyone is buying lottery tickets and waiting impatiently for the big announcement, the magic numbers that will determine if you will be a person of wealth all the remaining days of your life.
Me?
“Will it be me?” They all wonder.
Last night, my husband told me that our neighborhood bought a joint Christmas lottery ticket. If we win, we all split the money.
“I didn’t know it,” he explained. “But when I gave my 12 euros to help with the cost of our neighborhood street lights, they decided that any money left over would go to purchase community Christmas lottery tickets.”
“Cool! Maybe we will win!” I replied.
I guess now we are officially “Spanish”! We have participated in this very important cultural event, El Gordo.
Until then, I certainly won’t hold my breath. Rather, I’ll stay focused on the reason for Christmas. It’s not Christmas cakes, it’s not porcelain nativity sets, it’s not blinking Christmas lights, it’s not sparkling decorations galore. It’s certainly not lottery tickets and hitting the jackpot.
No, whether we are living in Spain, in Senegal, in France, in the United States, in Morocco, or even in Tahiti . . . Christmas is about one thing all over the world.
Jesus.
Merry Christmas! Joyeux Noël! Feliz Navidad!
My Gift to You—Get Your Free Book—”The 12 Countries of Christmas”!
—The Cultural Story-Weaver
Let’s Weave Cultures!
Have you ever heard of a Christmas lottery? What would you do if you won the Spanish Christmas lottery jackpot of 4 million euros?
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.
