Brazil is a country of many different ethnicities, however because it started out as a Portuguese colony, many of its traditions and customs come from this heritage. One of their most popular traditions is the use of a nativity scene, especially in northeastern Brazil. A Franciscan friar named Gaspar de Santo Agostinho introduced this during the 17th century. The nativity scenes can be scene displayed in churches, homes, and stores during the month of December.
The Story of Santa Claus is told in Brazil as it is in many other countries around the world. The character is known as Father Noel in Brazil and is said to leave gifts and sweets for children in their shoes on Christmas Eve. Legend says that he lives in Greenland, and when he arrives in Brazil on Christmas Eve, he changes into silk clothing due to the hot summer weather conditions.
On Christmas Eve, the meal is laid out before people attend "Mass of the Rooster" at midnight. Dinner consists of a variety of food, reflecting all the different cultures within Brazil, including turkey, ham, colored rice, salad, vegetables, and fruit dishes. A meal of this size is unusual during the hot summertime and reserved only for Christmas time. The meal is eaten after the service, with the children being served first so that they can go to bed. People attend mass on December 25th as well, but usually in the late afternoon, giving them the chance to sleep late or go to the beach after their enormous midnight dinner. After mass, families and friends get together and exchange gifts.
Decorating for the holiday time is important to Brazilians and consists mostly of fresh flowers from the garden. People decorate their homes with Christmas trees, and often put cotton on their outside trees to represent snow, since Christmas takes place during the summer in Brazil. The larger cities set fireworks off in the skies and decorate huge Christmas trees with lights and ornaments. Families and friends take part in folk dancing, and the singing of Christmas carols. These celebrations go on till January 6th, which is known as Three Kings Day. This is the day when the three wise men are said to finally visit Jesus and deliver their gifts.
