When a person from the United Stated thinks about South America, it is not always taken into consideration that this big mass of land has a rich diversity of topographical expressions and climate, and especially a great diversity in towns and cultures. To speak about Christmas in this beautiful part of the world we would have to go from Venezuela to the Chilean and Argentinean South Cone, while listening to different and picturesque ways to celebrate it. If it is true that the Christmas pattern is the same on a large scale in all of our countries and smaller communities, from the Cabo de Hornos to Pirineos, then there are millions of different blends in each region—the fruit of many years that have passed us by, as well as climate differences, zone food and other particularities.

I am Chilean at heart, though I was born in Chaco, Argentina; and I could say that the most significant and awaited event for the Chileans is Christmas, along with the New Year. Chile is a country with different traditions, according to the zone where you live (North, Central or South). However, I’ll share with you the most common tradition in the Central area. Christmas starts for everyone at the beginning of December, when all the promotion about Christmas comes out and we are amazed with all the fabulous toys technology can bring; this is when we see the true consumerism, as it happens in most of the countries. But it all ends on December 24 at 6 p.m. Many of the Catholics attend “Misa del Gallo” (a mass that represents the birth of Christ). Our local churches organize a Christmas service, which usually includes a special play and special music, to present the birth of Jesus.

Around 11 p.m., people gather around the table to enjoy a delicious Christmas meal that usually includes a turkey or chicken stuffed with corn. Right before midnight, all the children are taken out for a ride, while “el Viejito Pascuero” (that is what we call Santa Claus or Papa Noel) arrives. In the past, children would go to sleep and open the gifts on December 25; but the way children are nowadays, they easily stay awake until midnight. When they return to their houses after the ride, they find all the gifts there and are ready to open them; but first, they dedicate the gifts to Baby Jesus. Some of the children sing carols; others go out to play with their bicycles, skateboards and other toys, while some others just go to sleep to wait for the next day to come. It is good to remember that Christmas falls during our summer season, and that everybody goes out happily to try out their gifts with no restrictions until they get sleepy. I hope you enjoyed learning more about a Chilean Christmas.

David E. Ramírez
Field Director to South America

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© 2008 Church of God World Missions