Christmas is the most important celebration during the year in Peru.  Christmas Eve is called Nocha Buena which translates to Good Night in Spanish.  And boy do Peruvians have a good night when they celebrate this holiday!

Families gather together on Christmas Eve and celebrate with a meal of pavo (turkey), tamales and fruit cake for dessert.  Homes, churches and villages are decorated with nativity scenes.  These scenes stay on display until La Bjeda de los Reyes, the arrival of the Wise Men on January 6. Families attend mass together and place a figure of the infant Jesus in the manger scene at midnight. Once the children are off to bed the adults celebrate with dance, salsa dancing the night away.

While children are sleeping on Nocha Buena, Santa Claus fills stockings that have been placed near manger scenes.

Churches often organize Chocolatadas, where poor children and families are treated to a glass of hot chocolate and a small gift.  The lines for these Chocolatadas are often very long and are a distinct feature of Peruvian Christmas.  The poverty level is quite high.

Christmas was first celebrated in Lima, Peru in 1535.  Now the city boasts huge Christmas Day celebrations including a bullfight and a procession celebrating Jesus’ mother, Mary.  Parties, dances, and processions continue throughout Peru until January 6 when they celebrate the arrival of the wise men with Rosca de Reyes, a round, sweet bread decorated with candied fruit.

Enjoy this beautiful Peruvian carol: http://youtu.be/gbI_uh6p9aw

You can help the WOGO team as they plan the 2012 medical mission to Peru.  Visit www.wogo.org and click the Donate Now tab.  There are many ways to support the team, and donations make a great holiday gift.

Happy Holidays!