nacimiento

Mayan Nativity Scene for Christmas Eve

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nativity-scene-for-christmas-eve

Here’s your illustrated Guatemalan Spanish word of the day: Nacimiento for Nativity Scene. For those who are not familiar with Catholic imagery, normally the Nativity scene shows Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus along with a few animals. Except Baby Jesus is not placed at the crib until 12am on Christmas Day. Noche Buena is the … Read more

Merry Christmas wishes from Antigua Guatemala

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Did you know that nacimientos, pesebres or Nativity were first introduced to the American Continent through the city of Antigua Guatemala by Santo Hermano Pedro? To commemorate such unique event the niche of the Parroquía de Belén, Bethlehem parish, sports a Nativity scene with Santo Hermano Pedro in it. Check it out next time you … Read more

Nativity Scene Inside Iglesia San Francisco El Grande in Antigua Guatemala

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Nativity Scene Inside Iglesia San Francisco El Grande in Antigua Guatemala BY RUDY GIRON

The nacimiento or pesebre, Nativity scene, at the San Francisco El Grande church in Antigua Guatemala is even bigger than the one found at La Merced church. In iglesia de San Francisco El Grande they used the entire garden area parallel to the church to build different historic scenarios. The one shown above is the … Read more

Merry Christmas with a Guatemalan Nativity Scene

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As I have explained before, Nacimientos are Nativity (Navidad in Spanish) scenes shrines made to celebrate during the December until Christmas or Navidad in Spanish. On December 8th, the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated and with this the ‘Religious Christmas Season’ is officially started. For those who are not well verse in Catholic … Read more

Guatemalan Nativity Scene for Christmas Eve

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Guatemalans begin putting up their Nacimientos (Nativity Scenes) around December 15; a tradition that was brought to Guatemala by Santo Hermano Pedro de Betancourt and then spread to the rest of America (the continent). One important aspect of nacimientos is that baby Jesus is missing from the scene since his actual birthday is on December … Read more

Guatemalan Nacimiento for Christmas Eve in Antigua

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Here’s a simple Nacimiento made from corn husks to celebrate Navidad. As I have described before, with the Feast for the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th, people begin putting up their Nacimientos (Nativity Scenes); a tradition that was brought to Guatemala by Santo Hermano Pedro de Betancourt and then spread to the … Read more

Feliz Noche Buena

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Feliz Noche Buena by Rudy Giron

Merry Christmas Eve!

In Guatemala, Christmas Eve is as important as Christmas. People stay up all night waiting for midnight to have tamales with the family and to open up their presents underneath the Christmas tree. People also burn many different types of firecrackers and fireworks. Kids run around the neighborhood given hugs and wishing a Merry Christmas. Right at midnight people burn so many firecrackers and fireworks that you might think it is the third world war.

Also, by midnight baby Jesus is placed in the nacimiento (Nativity scene) and religious people go to church for the Christmas mass service.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and I thank you for visiting AntiguaDailyPhoto and for your wonderful feedback and comments thus far.

My friend Christian “@cvander” shared this video of marimba Christmas music medley: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & Jingle Bells. Enjoy!

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Guatemalan Nacimientos or Nativity Scenes

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During early December, in Guatemala people begin putting up their Nacimientos (Nativity Scenes); a tradition that was brought to Guatemala by Santo Hermano Pedro de Betancourt and then spread to the rest of American continent. One important aspect of nacimientos is that baby Jesus is missing from the scene since his actual birthday is on … Read more

Guatemalan Christmas Decorations: El Nacimiento

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Right at midnight on December 24th/25th, baby Jesus is put in the Nacimiento scene set up on December 8th (do you remember?). Right at midnight the joy and happiness of Guatemalans celebrating Navidad (Christmas) literally explodes into firecrackers, bell rings, songs, hugs, and sharing of lots of great Guatemalan Christmas cuisine, like tamales especially made … Read more