My wife and I are both mostly of German heritage, and our Christmas traditions likely would be familiar to most here. One of the things we are looking forward to is forming OUR traditions - perhaps a blending, perhaps a forming of new ones.
I have a long time friend who now lives in Spain (he was actually born there but came to the US with his family when he was a baby, but returned for college - and just stayed). I visited with him in Spain one Christmas and LOVED a Spanish tradition - which I've embraced. The Spanish are very, very into manger scenes (huge public ones, as well as private ones in homes) but unlike here, they are timed. Now... the scene is just the manger and animals, and way off (perhaps in another room!) are the Three Kings (as they call them). On Christmas Eve day, Joseph and Mary are added. Then after midnight Mass, Jesus is added. Each day, the Three Kings are moved closer..... until Epiphany (which they call Three Kings Day), they finally arrive. I like that.
A blessed Advent to all....
Pax
- Josiah
