Feliz Navidad

So what happens at Christmas in Spain? About 87% of Spaniards identify themselves as catholic, whether practicing or not, therefore the holiday still holds strong religious tradition. While Spaniards will all gather and eat with the family on “Noche Buena” (Christmas Eve), the 25th is not the main celebration like it is in the U.S. Christmas in Spain revolves primarily around the Epiphany or “Three Kings Day” on January 6th when the magi come bearing gifts for Jesus. Traditionally the children receive gifts on this day from Los Tres Magos: Gaspar, Melchior, and Baltazar. In the days leading up to January 6th, the children have all written letters to the three kings letting them know what they want for Christmas.

La Cabalgata

This is the procession, or float parade, on January 5th when the Three Kings come through the streets in most towns and families come to greet them. The royal pages (“Pajes Reales”) accompany the kings and throw candies and sweets to the children. Before the children go to bed, they place the Three Kings in the nativity scene (el Belén) and wake up to find their gifts. Each day leading up to the 6th they move the Kings closer and closer to Jesus in the nativity.

¿Qué hay de Santa?

Santa is not traditionally part of a Spanish Christmas, and the nativity scene, rather than a tree, is what you’ll find decorating Spaniard's homes. For us Minnesotans, getting into the ‘Christmas spirit’ has taken more effort because it’s not really in-your-face-everywhere-you-look like it is in the states, AND the weather has been gorgeous lately with averages in the high 60’s with lots of sunshine!

After talking with locals I’ve learned that this year Jávea has put much more effort into creating a holiday atmosphere than in the past to encourage tourism. They hung fiesta lights in the Port and the Pueblo, but new this year are three Christmas trees: one in the Port, one in the Pueblo, and one in the Arenal. When we were in the Arenal (the main beach and touristy area of Jávea) we stumbled upon Santa and one of his elves, which quite a surprise!

L’Arenal School Cabalgata

AMPA (The parent-teacher group) put together their own version of the traditional Three Kings day Cabalgata at the school on December 18th. I volunteered to help, not knowing what I was getting myself into. I knew that I had to show up at 9:30 with black shoes and that AMPA already had costumes (although I didn’t know what for).

When I arrived I found out that I was going to be a ‘Paje Real’ (royal page). AMPA purchased costumes for the three kings, their royal pages, and a couple shepherds. Papa Noel was also there with his elves (this is unique to our very international school). All the parents got dressed up and met up with the horse & carriage carts outside the school ready to surprise the children.

All of the children in the school were gathered on the patio. There were four “thrones” with red carpet near the school. Papa Noel and the elves led the first procession on a pony-drawn carriage. The Three Kings proceeded next on our procession. It was so beautiful to watch the kids’ running toward us, waving and yelling in sheer excitement. 

We made it to the thrones where Papa Noel and the Three Kings sat and received the letters from each class. I loved getting to hear my king (Gaspar) speak to the children and to read through their lists. (My favorite wishes were “quiero ser mas alta” (I want to be taller) and “un barco de lujo” (a luxury yacht). It was fun to watch my daughter Volly come up. She passed up the Three Kings and went to Papa Noel to deliver her letter. I think she knew that Papa Noel was not the 'real' Santa...but the Three Kings could be legit and this was too intimidating for her.

¿Así como celebraremos la Navidad este año?

Ultimately our family will celebrate the fact that my parents and sister’s family will be here in Jávea with us this year! I told the kids that they can expect presents from Santa on the 25th (if they are good!!!!) and perhaps a gift from the Three Kings on January 6th (if they are good!!!!).

"You can take the girl outa Minnesota, but you can't take the Minnesota outa the girl"

I was able to keep the family tradition of lefse making alive this year! Out of crazy luck, the second week we had moved to Jávea, I met another MN native who has been a such a great friend. She is married to a Spaniard and our kids have become good friends. Neither of us had made lefse on our own (just with family in the past) but decided to give it a go! She happened to have a lefse stick and we borrowed a legitimate lefse grill and rolling pin from Norwegian acquaintances. It was 5 hours of fun and the kids couldn't get enough!

It is such a gift to learn how others around the world celebrate and adopt pieces from their culture that resonate with you and your family. Above all, I believe that this time of year is about gratitude and love. Hope all of you that read these blog posts know how much I appreciate your love and that I'm sending it out to you in return with deep gratitude. Merry Christmas and Feliz Navidad!