CHILDREN & CHRISTMAS IN CHUBURNA

December 8... The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is observed starting with an outdoor Mass at the Port...The statue of the Virgin is taken out to the ocean with prayers said in recognition of  the main resource for the area, fishing. 

Families make the one hour walk with the statue and banners from the Port to the Chuburna Catholic Church 





Occasionally they stop for a dance while fire works explode near by..

A Mariachi band serenades the Virgin as the statue and banners are carried into the church.... a solemn moment with emotion in the air. 

Antorchistas Guadalupanos

In Mexico, how do you know when the Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe is near? That’s easy. You begin to see groups of individuals and groups, traveling on foot or by bicycle, traveling long distances as part of a promise they made to La Virgen during the year. To learn more about the history and meaning of Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe and the Antorchistas Guadalupanos, read Yucatan Living’s The Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Last week, the Antorchistas Guadalupanos were on the roads throughout Yucatan. Thankfully, everyone reached their destination without incident. (from Yucatan Living)

December 12: Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Spanish: Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe), also known as the Virgin of Guadalupe:  a celebrated Roman Catholic icon of the Virgin Mary.
Altars to the Virgin are in front of many Chuburna homes; some elaborate and some very humble.

An outside Mass celebrates the Virgin of Guadalupe and the return of the Antorchistas. 

Daniel and son Kevin participated in the Father/Son walk with others; many of whom are students from the Apoyo program. .

( Thanks to Apoyo sponsor, Mike Smith, for these antorchista photos) 

Christmas also includes Caroling... The children who attend the Free English School, offered by English speaking volunteers, bring joy to 5 homes as they sing carols in English and Spanish. 

LAS POSADAS                                                                                                            Posada is Spanish for "lodging".   It is said in plural because it is celebrated from December  16 to 24th. The nine days  represent Mary's nine months of pregnancy  carrying Jesus.  It has been a tradition in Mexico for 400 years. 

Chuburna is divided in to 3 sections... In each section, 3 families agree to participate.  Carrying statues of Mary and Joseph those in the procession walk  to 3 homes singing for "lodging". 

The families at each home and others respond in song from behind closed doors. The procession sing asking for admittance to which those inside the house refuse in song.  This is repeated at all three homes.  At the home of the 3rd family, several verses later, the doors open as  those carrying the statues are welcomed in.  The statues are accepted by the family and put into the creche. 

 

Children are a significant part of this tradition..walking in procession, singing behind closed doors and finally breaking open the pinata and excitedly gathering up the candy.

 On Christmas eve, Mary, on a burro, and Joseph arrive at the church with others in procession carrying the statues of Mary and Joseph for the manger at the church, along with the Baby Jesus.

Christmas Concerts are held outside in the square 

One featured the children from the secondaria school.. 

Rudolf  and his reindeer buddies dancing to Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer. 

  

. Moving and shaking to Jingle Bell Rock

Several nights later, a fun evening ended with Santa giving out gifts, purchased with funds raised by the expat community. 

From Home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to another.                              The warmth and joy of Christmas, brings us closer to each other. Emily Mathews

On behalf of the children from their home of Chuburna Puerto to yours, may you feel close to us always.

Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year

BevMelchior, Marta DeQuesada , Dorothy Kaytor
Directors,
CHUBURNA PUERTOAPOYO ESCOLAR 
Education , the key to unlock all doors