Colombian Culture, Colombia Adoption and Raising Colombian Kids

December 28 is the Dia de los Santos Inocentes . A traditional Catholic holiday, it is meant to remember the children that were slaughtered by the order of King Herod when the Three Wise Men did not return to tell Herod where the child King could be found. El Dia de los Santos Inocentes is similar to the U.S. way of celebrating April Fool's Day. It is a day for playing pranks on people, fake news reports, and jokes. If you'd like to prepare your family a special Santos Inocentes dinner in honor of this holiday, Check out the recipes and crafts that Family Fun magazine has for April Fool's Day. It is a fun way to introduce kids to this Colombian holiday. http://familyfun.go.com/april-fools-day/april-fools-day-recipes/

December 23 --Day Eight of our Christian Novena Scriptural Basis -- Matthew 2:1-12 Message/Activity -- Wisemen visit the Christ child. They brought 3 gifts. Make a treat and bring it to 3 widows or other people. Carol to them and offer the gifts. Here are the links to the Catholic Novena if you are doing that. In Spanish: http://es.catholic.net/aprendeaorar/688/2097/articulo.php?id=26390 Here it is in English: http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=939

December 22 --Day seven of our Christian Novena Scriptural Basis -- Luke 2:8-17 Message/Activity -- After the Shepherds visit, they share what they have seen. In our day, people who have come to know Christ and his Gospel also share his word. Tonight we work on a missionary project (send letters to missionaries, help supply needs to a missionary, etc). Here are the links to the Catholic Novena if you are doing that. In Spanish: http://es.catholic.net/aprendeaorar/688/2097/articulo.php?id=26390 Here it is in English: http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=939

December 21 --Day six of our Christian Novena Scriptural Basis -- Luke 2:6 Message -- No Room In the Inn -- Often at Christmas time, we have No Room for the real meaning of Christmas. Our Inn is full of cards, presents, wrapping, parties, etc. This is the night to focus on offering the Baby Jesus room in our Inn. We watch a Nativity Movie and then talk about other Homeless people. Activity -- Movie and then make a donation to the Homeless shelter. Sounds Track: Two Songs Let Him In by Micheal McClean Homeless by Micheal McClean Here are the links to the Catholic Novena if you are doing that. In Spanish: http://es.catholic.net/aprendeaorar/688/2097/articulo.php?id=26390 Here it is in English: http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=939

December 19 --Day four of our Christian Novena Scriptural Basis -- Luke 2:4 Message -- Importance of knowing your Lineage -- Joseph was of David. We also have wonderful ancestors that give us a feeling of our own self worth. We are building our own family now and some day our stories will be important to our descendants. Activity -- Share stories or a story of an Ancestor's Christmas or just a story from their life. Add to our family scrapbook a story from this year. Go out and buy family gifts and wrap gifts for each other. Here are the links to the Catholic Novena if you are doing that. In Spanish: http://es.catholic.net/aprendeaorar/688/2097/articulo.php?id=26390 Here it is in English: http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=939

December 18 -- Christian Novena Alternative Scriptural Basis -- Luke 2:1-3 Message -- Joseph and Mary had to go to Bethlehem to be Taxed. Explain what Taxes are used for. Activity -- Have the children contribute a "Tax"from their money to support a donation to Toys for Tots or an Angel Tree child, etc. Buy the gift with the child's TAX, wrap it (if appropriate) and let the child deliver it to the donation spot. The sound track for tonight also includes Juanes version of Burrito de Belen. Here are the links to the Catholic Novena if you are doing that. In Spanish: http://es.catholic.net/aprendeaorar/688/2097/articulo.php?id=26390 Here it is in English: http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=939

December 17 -Day two of our Christian Novena Scriptural Basis -- Matthew 1:18-end -- The Story of Joseph Message -- Joseph was Jesus' "adoptive" father. He took care of Jesus, taught him, and loved him. There are many children around the world that do not have an adoptive family to love and care for them. Activity -- Do an orphan related service project. (Example: donate money or goods to a reputable charity). Soundtrack -- I Was Not His Father by Micheal McClean in his Forgotten Carols CD. Here are the links to the Catholic Novena if you are doing that. In Spanish: http://es.catholic.net/aprendeaorar/688/2097/articulo.php?id=26390 Here it is in English: http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=939

As a primarily Catholic country, Colombia celebrates the holiday season with many Catholic traditions. One such tradition is the NOVENA. While here in the US many people celebrate 12 days of Christmas, in Colombia the Novena is 9 nights long. It starts on the 16 th of December and ends on the 24 th . That makes tonight the start of the NOVENA. Not being Catholic, I am unsure of the details. However, if you are a Catholic family with Colombian children this could be a great way to incorporate Colombian tradition in your home. Here is an interesting link on Catholic.net that seems to indicate which prayers are to be said on each of the nine nights (In Spanish). http://es.catholic.net/aprendeaorar/688/2097/articulo.php?id=26390 Here it is in English: http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=939 Again, as a non-Catholic family, we have decided to create our own Christmas Novena. It helps us focus on the true meaning of the Christmas season and gives...

December 7th is the official start of the Christmas (Navidad) season in Colombia . December 7th is the Catholic Holiday called the Día de la Anunciación . However, both Catholics and non-Catholics celebrate tonight by placing candles and lanterns and lights all over the front of the house and along the sidewalks. It is known as the Día de Velitas or El Alumbrado . In our family, we celebrate by placing red, white and brown paper lunch sacks -- each filled with sand and a lighted candle -- around our front yard. This year to our Open House Celebration, we have invited over 80 guests. We invite them in shifts (29 from 5:30-6:30, 29 from 6:30-7:30, 26 from 7:30-8:30). People are to bring a plate of American cookies (this is the mingling of cultures part of the night) and we provide the Colombian Hot Chocolate, the music, and the lantern making supplies. Our guests make their own paper sack lantern and place it in front of our house. When we are all finished, it looks pretty cool....

When people in Colombia think about Christmas, they think about today, December 24 th . December 25 th is just a nice day off, a day most people will spend sleeping. Let me explain. Known as Noche Buena , Navidad , or simply El 24 , December 24 th is the time when the essential traditions of Colombian Christmas celebrations take place. But before diving into what will happen tonight, a little background is in order. For most kids, the school year ends around the middle of November. This is true for University students as well. With tests and grades behind and even remedial tests and courses postponed until January, the arrival of December is akin to the arrival of a long awaited weekend after a hard work week. Maybe is more like the arrival of summer in places away from the Equator. Usually December also brings the end of the November rains and ushers in the beginning of bright, sunny days. Thus, everything is set for a month long celebration, and the build up to the 24 th be...

Over the past two holiday seasons, I have shared many Colombian Christmas traditions. Here is a review for you: For Christmas Traditions: #1 -- El Alumbrado http://raisingcolombiankids.blogspot.com/2008/12/colombian-christmas-culture-post.html#comments #2 -- El Pesebre http://raisingcolombiankids.blogspot.com/2008/12/pesebre-where-is-baby-jesus.html#comments #3 -- Mis Aguinaldos http://raisingcolombiankids.blogspot.com/2008/12/mis-aguinaldos.html#comments For Christmas Carols -- Villancicos: #4 -- Burrito de Belén http://raisingcolombiankids.blogspot.com/2008/12/colombian-christmas-carols.html#comments #5 -- A la Nanita Nana http://raisingcolombiankids.blogspot.com/2009/12/la-nanita-nana-christmas-carol.html #6 -- Vamos Pastores Vamos http://raisingcolombiankids.blogspot.com/2009/12/vamos-pastores-vamos-christmas-carol.html For Christmas Recipes: #7 -- Tamales http://raisingcolombiankids.blogspot.com/2008/12/abuelita-carmens-tamales-boyacenses.html #...

Buñuelos are a Christmas time must. These round cheese fritter balls are well worth a try. Here is the recipe. Ingredients: 1 1/4 cup cheese (queso fresco or requesón) -- you can find it in the Mexican cheese section at Wal-Mart 1 1/4 cup corn starch 1/2 cup sugar 8 teaspoons baking powder 8 teaspoons tapioca starch (almidon de yucca) 3 eggs Add no more than a 1/4 cup of water only if necessary Steps: #1 Mix dry ingredients. #2 Add wet ingredients. #3 Mix. #4 Make balls (about golf ball size) and drop into hot oil. #5 Take out when golden brown and place on a paper towel. #6 EAT!!!!!!

Another Christmas food tradition is NATILLA . This is something that is either great or horrible. I have tasted several different flavors of natilla (coconut, cinnamon, vanilla, spice), and truthfully, I have not liked them all. Typically, most Colombians will buy a box of Natilla mix, however, for those of us who find it a bit hard to head to the store for a mix, you can attempt to make it yourself. Here is the recipe. Ingredients: 4 cups milk -- use whole or 2% 1 cup brown sugar (in Colombia you would use 8 ounces of grated Panela) 4 - 5 cinnamon sticks 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup cornstarch 2 tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon vanilla Steps 1. Mix milk and cornstarch in a pan. 2. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt to the pan and mix well. 3. Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until it starts to thicken. 4. Cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring constantly -- in order to avoid clumps, until mixture has thickened. ...

A nother very popular Christmas Carol (villancico) is called A la Nanita Nana. Here are the lyrics: A la nanita nana, nanita ea, nanita ea, Mi Jesus tiene sueno, bendito sea, bendito sea. Fuentecita que corre clara y sonora, Ruisenor q'en la selva cantando llora, Callad mientras la cuna se balancea. A la nanita nana, nanita ea. The great thing about this song is that by changing the word Jesus to niño or niña, you have a great all purpose lullaby. Even Disney noticed this -- check out the Ceetah girls video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovS4C9LPNQ0

One of the most widely recognized and sung Christmas Carols of Colombia -- and Latin America in general -- is the Vamos Pastores Vamos song. The lyrics can be found below. You can see a cute little video and hear the song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziuc1b03cJ0 Vamos pastores vamos, vamos a Belén; a ver en ese niño, la gloria del Edén. a ver en ese niño la gloria del Edén. Ese precioso niño, yo me muero por él, sus ojitos me encantan, su boquita también. La Padre le acaricia el Madre mira en el, y los dos extasiados, contemplan aquel ser, contemplan aquel ser. Vamos pastores vamos, vamos a Belén; a ver en ese niño, la gloria del Edén. a ver en ese niño la gloria del Edén. Es tan lindo el chiquito que nunca podrá ser, que su belleza copien el lapiz, ni el pincel. Pues el eterno Padre con inmenso poder, hizo que el hijo fuera inmenso como el, inmenso como el. Vamos pastores vamos, vamos a Belén; a ver en ese niño, la gloria del Edén. a ver en ese niño l...

In Colombia, the word for Christmas Carols is VILLANCICOS (pronounced: vee yan see cohs). Most of these songs come from Spain have their roots in the Catholic church. There have been, however, just like here in the US, more modern songs written. Last year, I featured one of those songs which is kind of like the Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer of Colombia and Venezuela. You can see the post here: http://raisingcolombiankids.blogspot.com/2008/12/colombian-christmas-carols.html#comments You can hear the Juanes version of the song here: http://www.imeem.com/joga3bonito/music/T4zdmlZs/juanes-el-burrito-de-beln/ This one is well worth purchasing from Itunes. My boys love it!! Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/johandouma/3521811854/sizes/o/

Tonight marks the beginning of the Christmas season in Colombia . Tomorrow is the Día de la Inmaculada Concepcion -- a Catholic holiday. But both Catholics and non-Catholics alike celebrate this day in Colombia -- placing candles, lanterns and lights all over the front of the house and along the sidewalks. It is known as the Día de Velitas or El Alumbrado . You could easily celebrate this Colombian holiday no matter where you are in the world. In our family, we place paper sacks filled with sand and a lighted candle around our front yard. My husband also tells about Angel Gabriel's announcement that María was with child. In Colombia, the entire neighborhood is outside and you can hear music, laughter, and singing. There is also plenty of dancing -- so we also include some of that as well. Here in the States, we are the only ones on the street, but it makes for a fun and meaningful evening with our kids. Tonight we have invited a Colombian family that just moved to our ...

Christmas and New Year's are typically the time when Colombian families will go through the arduous work of preparing TAMALES. Tamales are a family affair and every one has a job. Preparation for tamal making starts the day before you plan to actually make the tamales by preparing a GUISO and marinating the meat that will be used. Step #1 -- Marinate the Meat 6 pork chops -- bone in is a must 12 chicken legs and thighs -- again you need the bones in Marinate this meat overnight in the following GUISO . 12 green onions 4 medium onions 3 cloves garlic 2 teaspoons cumin 2 teaspoons Colór -- the ingredient I mentioned for the Empanada recipe. salt -- to taste Blend the above ingredients in a food processor. Then add: 3 whole dried bay leaves Pour GUISO over over meat and then stir the meat until all the meat is covered. Place in the refrigerator over night. Step #2 -- Cook the Meat First, remove bay leaves from the meat. Brown the meat in a frying pan and then b...

"Where's Baby Jesus?" This is a comment heard every time someone visits our house during the Christmas season. Unlike here in the States, where most perople's Nativity sets are displayed through the season with Baby Jesus is full view, in Colombia the infant is noticably absent. Absent that is until December 24th, when at midnight the children make a big deal of putting the infant child in the manger. This is our Colombian nativity set. It was made in Ráquira, Boyacá. http://www.colombia.com/turismo/sitio/raquira.asp Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds have a unqie Colombian twist to their attire. They are dressed like Boyancenses -- complete with Ruanas and Sombrero. I thought it would be good to encourage adopting families to purchase a Nativity set while they are in Colombia. This one cost us $5 US. It is small enough to fit in 1/2 of a shoebox, and well worth seeing and using every Christmas. Sorry I a...

There are other Villancicos. I have a link to each one. Granted some of these versions are a little annoying, but you get the idea. 1. Los Peces En El Rio YouTube - Los Peces En El Rio - Villancicos - Musica Navideña 2. A La Nanita Nana YouTube - A La Nanita Nana - Villancicos - Musica Navideña 3. Campana Sobre Campana YouTube - Campana Sobre Campana - Villancicos - Musica Navideña 4. Vamos Vamos Pastorcitos Amazon.com: Vamos, Vamos Pastorcitos: MP3 Downloads: Los Niños Cantores De Navidad 5. Tutaina Correct if wrong "Tutaina" Lyrics by "Villancicos" 6. Los Reyes Magos YouTube - Los Reyes Magos - Villancicos - Musica Navideña 7. A Belen Pastores Amazon.com: A Belen Pastores: MP3 Downloads: Los Niños Cantores De Navidad 8. Anton Tiruliru liru YouTube - Anton tiruliru liru - Villancicos - Musica Navideña Here are the lyrics to Anton Tiruliru liru: Anton tiruliru liru Antón tiruliru ra Jesús al pesebre vamos a adorar Duérmete niño ch...