Latinos and Hispanics are family-oriented and they value the birth of Jesus Christ. This Christmas, Latino and Hispanic families all over the world will gather for a very special day.

(Photo : Unsplash/ Latrach Med Jamil)

In more than a week from now, the whole world will celebrate Christmas or the birth of Jesus Christ. This is a celebration that Latinos and Hispanics value so much. This celebration is made even more special because they also get to spend time with their families.

Noche Buena is a big deal for Latinos

Christmas is not just a simple occasion for Hispanics and Latinos. It is a big deal for them and the most important part during Christmas is Noche Buena. This is what everyone calls Christmas eve and for some cultures, they celebrate the occasion during Christmas Day.

According to Vix.com, the whole point of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Most Latinos and Hispanic believe that Jesus Christ, who was sent by God the Father to save us from our sins, was born on December 25.

During Christmas Day, they open a few gifts in the morning most especially the kids, attend a mass any time of the day, and have a meal together as a family in the evening.

Latin Live reports that celebration varies from country to country and culture to culture but most have a giant party during Noche Buena, which happens during Christmas eve. This is always one of the most awaited celebrations Latinos and Hispanics are looking forward to every year.

The whole family gathers, there is food everywhere, the music is popping, and people are dancing. It is not a surprise anymore why many Latinos and Hispanics traveled recently from the U.S. to be with their families most especially their abuelas.

Read also: 4 Holiday Festivities That Latinos Celebrate Before Christmas

Fun-filled activities during Christmas

There are different activities in which Latinos and Hispanics participate.

There is usually a mass during midnight or what is commonly known as Misa de Gallo or Mass of Roosters. Adults, elderly, and devoted members of the family participate during this special mass.

For them, this is more than a religious holiday than a "Hallmark" one. While everyone enjoys receiving gifts, eating yummy food, and dancing to traditional Latino and Hispanic music, the main point of the occasion is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Another important thing that is always visible in almost Latino and Hispanic homes is the nativity set. It could be either inside or outside their home. There are other Latino and Hispanic families who choose to put the Baby Jesus in the manger until Christmas morning that symbolizes his birth.

Moreover, the celebration could have the same premise but every country does things differently.

Chileans typically feast on oven-roasted chicken and turkey, Cubans eat black beans, rice, and roast pig, Mexicans go in on tamales, and in my Venezuelan household, we have hallacas, which are very similar to the Mexican tamales.

This is a very festive occasion for Latinos and Hispanics. This is something that everyone is looking forward to every year. This is an annual occasion where families come together to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Read also: 6 Things Only People Raised in a Latino Family Will Understand