Christmas in Buenos Aires...My Top Ten!

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas (in the Southern Hemisphere). Yesterday hit 90 degrees here in Buenos Aires with a much higher humidity “feels like”! We are experiencing a weekend break from the heat before it is forecasted to return in full force just in time for Christmas. I’m sitting here in my apartment this afternoon with the window open, fan blowing, my little Christmas tree lights on, and drinking some Christmas coffee. (Thanks World Market for my 52 pounds of coffee prize! Thanks mom and dad for the monthly 5 pounds of coffee runs to claim my prize! And thanks Howie for bringing the latest Christmas supply!)

These past few weeks I have been asked many times when I am leaving for “las fiestas”? Most of my friends assume I am headed to North America or somewhere on vacation. I have had fun responding that I am staying here in Buenos Aires for Christmas. Yes, I will deeply miss being with my family in California these days ahead! But, at the same time, I am trying to soak in the season and receive all it has to offer in Buenos Aires. While Christmas in Argentina does not bring the same feel of Christmas in the U.S., there are customs and traditions I have already enjoyed and others I still look forward to this Christmas week. Here are just a few highlights:

1) Our annual community Advent Gathering, when we light the first candle of hope and pray for our friends. Then each Friday morning we have light the next candles on the wreath with a time of liturgy and prayer.
2) All the neighbors out on the street sitting on the sidewalk as both the weather and festivities warm up before Christmas.
3) Our church “pesebre” (nativity) that takes the entire stage (see photo above). Last Saturday all were invited to the annual community tradition of assembling the pesebre. It was really meaningful to join in that tradition!
4) Our annual Christmas party with the youth, which took this past Monday. We had a total of 30 people, including our community, Servant Team, Argentine partners, and our friends. Our time included a pollo asado (chicken bbq), a Christmas reflection in front of the pesebre, special crafts, and Christmas movies. We shared 18 Christmas gifts to our friends.
5) The wire Christmas trees light up in the plaza and parks throughout the city, surrounded by the summertime green and shade of all the trees.
6) The cold drinks of the season…Gancia (similar to vermouth with soda water, lemon, and lots of ice); Sidra (a cider drink); and extra cold cerveza.
7) Our church’s Christmas worship service, which will take place tomorrow night. Candles will be light around the pesebre and the baby Jesus will be laid in the manger.
8) This week ahead I look forward to visiting our friends at the Retiro train station and sharing some Christmas “pan dulce” and mate.
9) It’s all about Christmas Eve here! Fireworks go off at midnight, gifts are opened, and the festivities continue through the wee hours of the morning. (Definitely not a “silent night”!)

So there are nine favorite things about Christmas in Buenos Aires (in no particular order of importance)! I will keep my eyes and ears open to round out the top ten. Stay tuned!

10) Okay, that was quick…how could I forget? Number #10! Holiday drinks at Starbucks, Argentina-style…Toffee Nut Latte, Dark Cherry Mocha, and Chocolate Carmel. (gingerbread, peppermint, and egg nog are not the tastes of Christmas here.)

So, there it is my top ten....so far!