Christmas In Spain and the Region of Murcia. Introduction The purpose of this event is: Remember the beginning of redemption with the birth of the Jesus.

Christmas

In Spain and the Region of Murcia

IntroductionThe purpose of this event is:• Remember the beginning of

redemption with the birth of the Jesus. As this event covers the entire life of Jesus, celebrating Christmas is to solemnize the initial process of our salvation, our Passover.

• Reflect on the love of God that comes to men.

• And children, who have their gifts, and above all, its illusion.

History• German legend has it that Martin Luther, founder of the

Protestant faith, he returned to Wittenberg in a quiet and cold night vigil, decorating with candles a fir domestic small. He had a fabulous impression. By observing the frozen trees of the forest that glowed under the starlight, the Protestant was amazed.

• Perhaps it was an attempt by the German Reformed church to keep a pagan custom, live in the village, giving it a Christian character.

• The custom is rooted in Germany and Scandinavia in the sixteenth and seventeenth step from there to England.

• It is conceivable that the fir tree decorated in homes, could be considered, in a sense, as a test of monarchical fidelity, all the kings and princes who enjoyed this event in England.

CHRISTMAS CALENDAR

• December 24th: Christmas Eve.• December 25th: Christmas Day.• On 31st December: New Year's

Eve.• On 1st January: New Year's Day.• On the night of January 5th: The

Three Wise Men Eve .• On January 6th: Epiphany.

Christmas Eve• According to tradition, on this day the Virgin Mary

and St. Joseph came to the inn where they were given accommodation in the barn, and where in the morning saw the birth of baby Jesus.

• On this day, in Spain celebrates the arrival of Santa Claus, and the gifts it brings to children all over the world. Although this event has been held for a few years ago, and still is considered by all Spanish.

• Children are the so-called Christmas bonus, which is a reward for singing Christmas carols from house to house.

• In Spain, Christmas Eve, meets all the family to dinner, and all together, held the day before and coming of Christmas to the world and our hearts.

Christmas Day• Normally, when past the bridge of the Constitution,

in Spain, began to adorn the streets and houses. The streets are lit with colored lights, the windows are filled with curious gifts, Christmas decorations and toys, people gather further down the street and in bars, well wrapped against the cold. Christmas traditions in Spain shares the other states that practice the Catholic religion. As in other parts of the world, families gather to share and enjoy the joy of this celebration. In any case, the idea is to meet to share joy, goodwill, and friendship birth of Jesus. The ornaments and employees to participate in these events are similar in Europe and America food, drinks, music, dance, and the custom of giving and sharing what we have with others. But also the Spanish Christmas is a unique celebration, traditions and customs that reflect the true nature of Spain.

• An important symbol of Christmas in our country is Bethlehem. The representations of the birth of Jesus can be seen on the streets of cities and small towns and also at the entrance of the houses and shop windows. It is very Spanish common that are very elaborate nativity scenes, to look as realistic as possible. In many cities even contests to choose the best. In many small towns, the night of Christmas Eve, December 24, in the squares represents a crib "live" with actors, actresses, and animals associated with the birth of Jesus, a cow, a donkey and some sheep.

• Moreover, in Spain, the children gathered this day his gifts of Father Christmas, a tradition that is not very revalued in our country.

New Year's Eve

• During the Christmas season, one of the most important celebrations is the New Year, a dinner party is often made in the last night of the year.

• At twelve o'clock at night, Spanish families eat 12 grapes of luck for the chimes that signal the change of year. According to tradition, those who eat the grapes in time will have 12 months of prosperity during the coming year.

• It is also often held in the street; example, in the Puerta del Sol in Madrid, one of the most popular scenarios.

• It is celebrated with confetti, fireworks, loud noises, ... It is a tremendous party.

New Year Day

• It is the festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year.

• Many Spanish families celebrate with a meal together.

• Once the bells have rung, and the new year, the Spanish call a wish for the new year, in order to ensure compliance, and for the coming year is better than the last.

The Three Wise Eve • It's another night in the Spanish families, picnicking together in

honor of the impending arrival of the Three Kings of Orient.• On this night the children, who have already sent a letter to their

Majesties asking your gifts, should be more good than all year tonight, as it is the last chance for the Kings, not bring them coal. Eagerly awaiting the arrival of their Majesties.

• Every year, organizes the famous "Ride of the Kings", which is an event that is based on a parade in which their majesties, accompanied by his advisors, giving gifts to children from the "royal coaches.

• The snack that is imposed on this day, is that of the famous in Spain, King cake, a cute round, filled with cream, or chocolate cream with candied fruit and sugar on top.

• Comes with a Christmas card with the next steps, and the story of the Magi, with a golden crown of cardboard, for children, and is filled with small figurines of porcelain, or rings, ... referring to Christmas, and with something very interesting, "the ABA.

• According to tradition, who would tap into his piece aba, you have to pay the roscón.It's a fun snack for both children and adults, and above all, that is the family.

How is the King cake?

Ingredients

- 500 g strong flour. - 200 ml milk (lukewarm). - 30 g fresh baker's yeast-a. - 100 g aza second car. - 2 eggs (one for glazing). - 8 g salt (1 teaspoon). - 100g butter (margarine better). - Anise. - 10 g of fortified powder panaderÃa (optional). -

Candied fruit (for garnish). - A figurine (a surprise).

The Epiphany

• Tradition says that the three Magi from the East when they came to worship the Christ Child, he was given gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

• Children and senior citizens expect to repeat the same gesture of generosity, therefore, on January 6 come from the East to bring gifts to all children who have been good this year, if on the contrary, it has been, not left with empty hands, but will receive much more ... unwelcome but sweet gift: coal, although coal sugar, so it is not so sad.

• Children must have written the letter with their requests in advance before arrival.

The Decorations

• At Christmas, the homes are decorated, fireplaces, doors, the tree ... It's all decorated.

• The ornaments are: the crown, the Nativity scene, socks on the fireplace, the Christmas tree, wreaths, lights, ... and many more.

• Without decorate the houses and streets, Christmas would not be Christmas.

The tree• The Christmas tree comes from Germany and its first

references date from the sixteenth century. Until the nineteenth century did not come to Britain, France, United States, Puerto Rico, China and Japan. In Spain began to penetrate the first quarter of the twentieth century and today is rooted in most of Europe and Latin America.

• He is a decorated fir tree that represents light, hope and the spirit of Christmas.

• In Spain, decorated with ornaments, lights, colorful balls, streamers, ...

• Below it is where Santa Claus and the Three Kings, they leave their gifts.

• The star motif is the most important, is the last to be placed, is a symbol of happiness and a major recall the shooting star that the Magi were pursuing to find the way to the messiah.

Christmas Sweets• The sweet, can not miss Christmas, are

very familiar and there are times to get together a lot, so at Christmas, snacks are put on the table: polvorones, lardy, chocolates, marzipan, nougat, almonds, wine donuts, cakes Easter or orange, ...

• For employees of companies when it's Christmas, in addition to the extra pay obsequiarseles their part, were also treated to a "Christmas Shopping", with sweets of all kinds, wine, cider, ... everything you need to feed the family in days so to meet.

Christmas Lotery• Tambiéne is known as the Christmas special draw. One of

the most popular lotteries in Spain which is hold every December 22nd , and it usually takes place in the lottery room draws in Madrid. The top prize is called “El Gordo” –the big one-, and you can win up 300,000 euros for the tenth. The sales period for this sweepstakes is the longest of the year because the government numbers are the first weeks of July. It is therefore not surprising that it is also the most sold and popular of the Sweepstakes.

Curiosities of Christmas in The Region of Murcia

• At Christmas, in the Region of Murcia, to decorate the streets, like everywhere.

• There are many cribs celebrities here in our region: the municipal Nativity Episcopal Palace, the rock of cultural La Pava, cash in the street crib Almansa, the living nativity Raal. Murcia, Jesus Griñán and the birth of the Plaza Santo Domingo.

• In Murcia gastronomy is excellent, so sweet, nor are we evil. At Christmas, the most famous sweets of the region, are cordial.

How are the almond balls?

• Ingredients - 1k. Almond

  - 6-7 eggs (depending on size)  - 600 grammes of sugar  - Ground cinnamon  - Bases (especially if it is to be consumed at Christmas)  - Scrapped lemon

Merry Christmas!!Por: Elena Díaz Illán y Francisco J. Díaz Monserrate 4º Diver.