Sociedad A-Core Infraestructura y Tecnología Limitada
ACTIVE ENGLISH 24
Topic: Christmas.
Date: December 22TH to December 31st.
Christmas celebration in Chile
The Chilean Christmas celebrations are quite similar to the U.S. observance
of the occassion, though the weather is quite unlike the temperature
Americans experience during December. Naturally, Chileans have a really
"warm" Christmas celebration as opposed to cold weather festivities in most
Western nations.
The Chilean Christmas celebration is a spiritual affair and is held much in
accordance with the true Christian way. Church services are held on a daily
basis throughout the entire Christmas season but the actual holy observances
begin from nine days before Christmas Day, when Chileans begin a special
prayer service along with spiritual preparation known as "Novena" - a
Roman Catholic ritual. For the entire nine-day period leading to Christmas,
prayers are observed by every pious Christian in the country. A visit to the
local churches are made, carols are sung and passages related to the
nativity are also read from the Holy Bible. On Christmas Eve, Catholics attend
the Midnight Mass followed by a sumptuous dinner with the extended
members of their family. Christmas is a time for family reunions and many
Chileans seize this opportunity to visit their relatives in distant places and be
with them during the festive days.
Prepartions for Christmas start nearly a month prior to the actual festive day.
Chileans love adorning their homes with brilliant lights and balloons on
Christmas. The Christmas tree is set up one or two days before the festive day
and decorated with tiny clay figures known as 'pesebre'. Elaborate scenes
from the nativity are put up and clay/wooden figures are used to represent
the Holy Family and other religious characters.
The Christmas festivities are incomplete without good food and a plethora of
mouthwatering dishes form the items of the Christmas menu. The Christmas
Eve dinner traditionally delicacies like "Cazuela de ave" (a special chicken
soup), "Pan de pasqua" (bread stuffed with candied fruit). "Rompon" and
Napoleón 3565 Oficina 202 Edificio Estudio II, El Golf, Las Condes Fono 2037700
www.a-core.cl
Sociedad A-Core Infraestructura y Tecnología Limitada
"Cola de Mono", a.k.a. Monkey's Tail are the customary drinks to have on
Xmas Eve.
The Chilean version of Santa Clause, "Viejito Pascuero" (Old Man Christmas),
is believed to visit every house in Chile on Christmas Eve, riding his sleigh
pulled by flying reindeers. As per popular legend, he is a small-sized man who
goes down through chimneys or enters through windows to leave goodies
inside the stockings of good children and nice presents for them under the
Xmas tree.
This is also the day when many people enjoy the nature. The warm climate
makes it possible for most to take a break at the beaches, go on rockclimbing or surfing, or even making a short trip to the nearest holiday spots.
Everyone wishes another 'Feliz Navidad' (meaning Merry Christmas) on this
day!
Answer the following questions if it is posible give opinions and examples:
1. How do you celebrate Christmas?
2. Where do you celebrate Christmas?
3. What do you do on December 25th?
Napoleón 3565 Oficina 202 Edificio Estudio II, El Golf, Las Condes Fono 2037700
www.a-core.cl