Feliz Navidad (Merry Christmas)
In the Mexican and Spaniard traditions, Christmas is celebrated on the Eve rather than on Christmas Day. That’s something I have never gotten used to, in all the years I have lived in an Anglo-Saxon country. This time, while I am sad I did not get to spend Christmas with my actual blood family (my parents are in Mexico right now, two of my brothers are there, and two are in the US and I’m here in Canada, and given that we all have very busy schedules, a family reunion is both impractical and impossible, financially and logistically speaking). Living in a foreign country for more than half of my life has meant that I have a very loose sense of home.
My home is Vancouver, for anyone who asks. This city is where I have grown up, thrived, fallen in love, been heartbroken, faced my life’s most difficult challenges and survived them. So, while I am not spending Christmas “at home”, I am lucky to be part of the family Christmas of good friends here in Victoria, who follow the Latin American tradition of Christmas Eve dinner.
I was raised Catholic, and in the Catholic tradition, Christmas Eve is when we celebrate the birth of Jesus. While I have never discussed religion on this blog, nor do I plan to, it’s always interesting to me to see how towards the end of the year, during the holidays (whether secular or religious), people tend to be way more generous. I myself have found that it’s easier for me to give stuff away during this period. Not because I am rich or have a lot of money. Simply because it’s Christmas.
Being on holidays is also meaning that I’m working on a book that I have been trying to finish since 2008, a book on wastewater governance in Mexico. Yes, I know. Not much of a holiday. But at least, I get to do what I love doing: my academic work.
To those of you who celebrate Christmas, Merry Christmas, and to those of you who don’t, enjoy these couple of days anyways.
Much love from me.
Related posts:
- Merry Christmas Eve 2011
- Merry White Christmas in Vancouver (Canada)
- Blitzkrieg Christmas Shopping
- Merry Christmas 2007!
- Christmas decorations
Feliz Navidad Raul!
nice Christmas Eve Post Raul. My family has a German background, and we too celebrate Christmas on Christmas eve. This involves attending a candle light service at a church, singing with family, and then celebrating home in the evening with food which has been prepared… its one of the most special times dear to my heart to come together with family all in one place.
Being away from Canada for 5 years while living in Asia, helped me to realize just how precious the time we have with family really is.
i find it more important to just slow down with family, and just take in the moment, honoring siblings and parents for the time we have together…
I wish you the best this year Raul – and more success and happiness in 2011! I have a great feeling about what’s coming up…