Most of us know what Hanukkah is and what its eight days and what not. But have you ever wondered if other faiths/countries have their own special holiday traditions that go on for DAYS?
My culture is a prime example of that. As Colombians, we pray what’s known as “La Novena” (i.e., “The Ninth” if literally translated) for nine days before Christmas Eve. In other words, we begin on the 16th and end on the 24th (because the evening of the 24th is “Christmas” for us).
(Because Latin America’s almost 99% Catholic, we happen to have a Novena for almost anything, but I’ll be discussing the one we pray around Christmastime, which is known as La Novena de Navidad or La Novena de Aguinaldos (which is a term for “carols”–also “villancicos.”)
Each of the nine days has a special dedication that revolves around a thought to commemorate each month that Jesus was in Mary’s womb. And each Christmas Novena is broken up into several short prayers tailored for the Novena itself: The prayer to commence + an Our Father, the family prayer, the prayer to the Virgin Mary + ten Hail Maries (or a single line to ask for her support), the prayer to Saint Joseph + another Our Father, the prayer for the actual day of the Novena, the prayer to Baby Jesus + a Glory Be to The Father, the “Gozos” (a series of short callouts and replies asking Baby Jesus to be with us), and optional carols.
Novenas are a time to connect with our loved ones, have a good time in prayer, sing, and of course, EAT (we’re Latinos, after all). Some people even go all out and have full-on Novena parties with their relatives and friends, where they pray, eat plenty, sing a lot and play their instruments, drink some, and make plans for the next Novena day!
JOIN OUR TWEETING AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE TWITTER PARTY!
What holiday traditions does YOUR family and/or culture have? Do you eat any special holiday foods? Would you like to share any fun holiday tips and/or recipes? And most importantly, would you like to WIN SOME SWEET PRIZES??
Then I’d like to invite you and yours to one fantabulous Twitter party with Amy from The Charming and Paige from A Dose of Paige. It’s set for THIS Sunday, December 22 at 9EST, and we’d love to have you there!! Simply tweet/look up tweets with the hashtag “DoseOfCharm” and you’ll be as golden as that pretty tree in the button above :).
SHOWCASE YOUR HOUSE AT OUR #DOSEOFCHARM HOLIDAY HOME TOUR!
Did you work hard on your holiday décor and feel like you deserve to show it off? Well, we think so too, girl, and what better opportunity to do so than at our #DoseOfCharm Holiday Home Tour? It’s going on RIGHT now so go and link up your masterpiece! Also come and check out what my holiday home looks like!
GIVEAWAYS MAKE THIS SEASON A LITTLE MERRIER, DON’T THEY?
Which is why I’d love to announce one last #DoseOfCharm giveaway :D! It’s scheduled to run for one week from Dec. 24 to the 31st, and I’ll be sure to have the form for you to enter right on my blog, so don’t miss it, lovelies!
How has your holiday season been so far? Ready for Christmas??