Christmas under the Southern Cross - Traditions in Brazil (3.)
13.12.2023
It is clear that the climates of the Czech Republic and Brazil are diametrically opposed to each other (both in terms of natural conditions and culture).
While in the Czech Republic, people are now experiencing the darkest and coldest days, here it dawns around 4:30, and by 7 o'clock we are up in the full, yet still very pleasant sun. The worst of the heat doesn't come until around 10am (temperatures are reaching 45°C this week) and between 5 and 7 pm, when darkness has fallen over Europe, there is still pleasantly warm air and plenty of daylight.
Oh, how I needed this already! With all my love for my homeland, long winter days as we know them in Bohemia do not do me any good. I'm grateful that this year our children can also finally experience what the pre-Christmas season is like in their daddy's country, which is also bathed in sunshine for most of these days.
There's not much talk of a quiet Advent here - on the contrary, summer is peaking and the pace of life is picking up! The streets and shops are buzzing with life and Brazilian warmth. And in the midst of it all, every now and then something I know from the Czech Republic pops up that reminds me of Christmas as we celebrate it.
1. ADVENT CANDLES
Yes, even in Brazil there is a beautiful tradition of Advent wreaths with four candles. While three purple candles and one pink candle are considered the traditional colors here, the traditional colors here are the colors of the values that the candles also symbolize.
WHITE is a symbol of peace (and for Christians, the color of the Divinity of Jesus)
RED is a symbol of love (and the color of Jesus' humanity)
GREEN to symbolize hope (and the color of the Holy Spirit)
PURPLE symbolizes faith (and the Advent season of peace, fasting, and contemplation)
From time to time, especially in churches, a PINK candle also appears, symbolizing the joy of the coming Christmas and, for Christians, the coming of the Savior.
2. CHRISTMAS TREES
Believe it or not, you will see the classic Christmas trees decorated as we know them here. Usually, they are artificial, because you can't get a spruce or fir tree here. However, if you want a live tree, you can have one. Just decorate a palm tree or ornamental shrubs in the garden and the Christmas tree is ready!
3. CHRISTMAS TOWN
This year we had two nice surprises waiting for us in front of the Batayporã Town Hall! In addition to the newly installed playground, it was a beautiful Christmas town with decorations that could be walked through and seen up close. Beautiful work!
4. BETLEM
And of course, the traditional Nativity scene must not be missed. While in the houses everybody can customize it as they like, in the church the crib is still empty - Christmas is still a day away and Jesus is not yet born!
