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
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
Today I share with you a picture of a colorful ceramic Mayan-styled Nativity scene and a Merry Christmas for you and your loved ones wherever you are!
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
The other day I had the opportunity to make a couple of photos of the Nativity scene enactment or Nacimiento as people call them in Antigua Guatemala. If you don’t know what Nacimientos are, read on what I published at Nacimiento Shrine Niche at Capilla de Belén. By the way, the girl in the middle … Read more
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
This is also the season of posadas (shelter quest) and nacimientos (nativity scenes) in Latin America, Guatemala and more specifically Antigua Guatemala. Here’s a typical Guatemalan handicraft nativity scene made from maize husks. Next, I will try to catch a posada next time I see one to share with you. Stay tune!
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
Christmas is such a quite and relax day in Guatemala, except for the burning of fireworks and firecrackers at noon and 6 p.m., most Guatemalans stay home watching movies, sleeping, eating and spending time with the family. How does your family celebrate Christmas?
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
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
The official date for the commencement of the Christmas season in Guatemala is December 8th, although many malls and commercial centers, imitating the businesses from up north, begin decorating for Christmas right after Independence Day, celebrated in Guatemala on September 15th. With the Feast for the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th, people … Read more