Christmas in Colombia is a season full of joy, lights, and cherished traditions. One of the most anticipated customs for both children and adults is the arrival of the gifts of the Baby Jesus. This Merry Christmas with Gifts is celebrated on December 24, bringing families together and sharing the excitement and faith of the children.
How Gifts from the Christ Child Are Celebrated at Christmas
It’s finally Christmas, but we’re outside of Colombia. However, that doesn’t dampen our desire to enjoy December and celebrate the arrival of the Baby Jesus. Because thanks to him, we’re sure we’ll have a joyful Christmas. Let the festivities begin!
A joyful Christmas with gifts from the Baby Jesus is approaching, and honestly, we Colombians are already wondering what we will do for this happy day that everyone looks forward to (December 24).
In Spain, my husband says that December 24 is Christmas Eve and December 25 is Christmas Day, but for us Colombians, December 24 is already Christmas.
In Colombia, on the 24th, amid whistles, horns, tambourines, Christmas carols, sparklers, fireworks, and of course hugs with our family, friends, and neighbors, we wish each other a Merry Christmas.
Why does the Baby Jesus bring Christmas gifts in Colombia: find out the reason?
How the Gifts of the Baby Jesus Arrive on December 24 in Colombia
As every year, children are the ones who are most excited about the long-awaited December 24th and about unwrapping the gifts from the Baby Jesus.
And don’t hold back on your letters, because you ask for everything and that’s not possible, but hey, you’ll get something so that the excitement is always there for the little ones.
As a curiosity, it is worth mentioning that children are asked as the long-awaited day approaches: “What did you ask Baby Jesus for?” And on December 25, they are asked: “What did Baby Jesus bring you?”
A joyful Christmas filled with wonderful gifts from the Baby Jesus for Colombian children.
As parents, you can imagine the effort we make to ensure that children don’t lose their excitement about gifts from Baby Jesus. These gifts inevitably influence children’s ability to have a joyful Christmas.
The fact is that children, whether they get good grades or not so good grades, are always given something special, but they cannot be given everything, as that would be a mistake. Children are taught to share and to understand that a generous heart is not only about gifts, but also about showing affection for the people around them.
At midnight on December 25, gifts are placed in the manger, on the children’s beds, or under the Christmas tree. At 8:00 p.m., the children are put to bed, and at midnight, they are woken up to see what Baby Jesus has left them so they can unwrap their gifts. Sometimes there are sad faces and other times happy ones because Baby Jesus does not always bring what the children have asked for.
Children usually ask for roller skates, bicycles, tricycles, dolls, and all the gifts they like, but they only receive one gift.
As parents, we are left with only happy faces. They go to bed with their toys, and the next day they wake up to enjoy their gifts and share with their friends what the Baby Jesus has brought them.
Merry Christmas with Gifts: Traditions for Adults and Children
As for adults, at this time of year we should always hold on to our inner child, even though we are now adults, remembering the good times so we can welcome in the new year with joy and enthusiasm.
Although, outside of Colombia, Christmas is missed…
For us adults, at midnight on the 25th, we have no choice but to give ourselves a gift from the baby Jesus. Once the day is over, we go out for a walk to finish setting up the rest of the nativity scenes and some of the lights.
It’s always the constant thought that the end of the year is coming and we’ll start a new 2024, and then it’s January, Easter, vacations, and another year ends. We don’t let the year begin…
Christmas formula for a Colombian: Gifts from the Christ Child = Merry Christmas with Gifts