Even though Christmas is celebrated both in the United States and in Spain, there are plenty of differences in how it's celebrated.
One of the most important differences is the role that religion plays in the holiday season.
Of course, there are people who go to church during the Christmas season in the United States, but Christmas itself has turned into a commercial holiday.
However, in Spain, the Christmas season is full of religious reminders--like the belén (nativity scene) I wrote about earlier this month. Most schools and community spaces have a nativity scene.
Today, I discovered another way in which Christmas is different in Spain.
A friend and I went to check out a Christmas market being held in a plaza near my apartment. There were a lot of neat gifts to buy--jewelry, handmade leather journals, soaps, candles, honey, and sweets...
And, of course, what market would be complete without a pig on a spit?
Everyone at the market was dressed up in costumes--wearing the type of clothing you see shepherds wearing in movies about Christmas!
In addition to all of the shops, there were lots of activities for the kids to enjoy! There was a little man-powered merry-go-round, a children's workshop teaching kids to weave, and old-school games!
However, one of the best parts was the mini-zoo! There were bunnies, little donkeys, chickens, ducks--and my favorite--lambs!
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| Baaaaaaa.... |
Nevertheless, the most striking part of the market was the live Nativity scene. It turns out that visiting the Nativity scene is sort of equivalent to visiting Santa Claus.
I saw Joseph encouraging kids to enter the Nativity scene to talk to Mary and the baby Jesus. These kids were talking to Mary about Christmas in the same way that some American children talk to Santa Claus in the mall!
This makes sense--Mary's going to have the ultimate "in" with the Big Man.
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