poollounger

I am not a Roman Catholic and am wondering if the churches in Spain have the tradition of a Christmas Eve service ??? I was lucky to be in Venice for Christmas some years ago and went to the service in St Mark's Cathedral. It was enjoyable and interesting, translations of the service provided in about five languages and they even rehearsed the latin responses before the service so we could all join in and sing. I was expecting the sermon to be pompous and holier than thou but it was not so...it talked about us celebrating the birth of an extraordinary individual, and how we can treat it symbolically and take time to reflect on rebirth and changes in our lives.
I am not expecting anything as lush as the service in Venice, but can anyone tell me if the services are restricted to the larger towns like Cadiz and Jerez, or would they take place in Chiclana, Medina etc etc ?? Or do they happen on Christmas day instead??

anabella

Yes, we have the tradition of a midnight service on Xmas eve. I doubt that they'll translate it though..

You can also attend services on Xmas day

The church doesn't have the power it once had (fortunately) but people in Spain, in general, are very conservative regarding traditions.. we are very eager to keep them all.

poollounger

Thanks Annabella.....Not expecting it to be translated!!! In St Marks in Venice they get a high number of tourists. I was expecting it to be High Mass and very Catholic but was surprised to find it so accessible. Refreshing for someone who was brought up very anti-Catholic in the Church of England.
My Spanish friends were really keen to take us to an evening of Flamenco carols, but it is on the same night we fly in to Seville and we won't get there in time. You are right about the Church losing it's control..I am always surprised by the liberalism of the Spanish, even away from the big cities.
Do you know at what time these services start on Christmas Eve or do they vary a great deal?? I shall have to do some quick research when I arrive....

anabella

The tradition is a midnight mass. We celebrate xmas eve with a big family dinner at around 10pm (dinner goes on for a long time, so it finishes just in time for the midnight mass ). Just check with your local church, but I'll be very surprised if they don't have a mass at midnight.

According to the religion Jesus is born on xmas day, this is why a big mass is held at midnight and not any other time..people gather at church to wait for Jesus' birth..

If you are familiar with Spanish culture you'll know that everything happens late in Spain compared to other countries (certainly the UK).. Midnight would be at outrageous time of day to go anywhere in other parts of the world.. but in Spain we have a different timetable ..

I hope this helps

poollounger

Thanks..In Italy, as in England, the services begin about 10 or 11 ish, and overlap into Christmas Day. I agree about Spanish time scales, but it seems to fall into place when I am over. I remember sitting down to dine in Seville at midnight...it was so hot until then that one didn't feel hungry!! And give me the siesta culture any day, even here in Britain...so civilised....
I think it is the children staying up so late that shocks some northern Europeans, but then they too have been asleep in the afternoon. And I think children socialising with adults breeds social skills that all to often are lacking in Britain when young people socialise separately...but that's another thread that could go on and on and on and on and on........shall we start one ???

anabella

I think you should.. many of the people that move to Spain are young couples with children. They'll find it interesting and it will be great to hear what they think of our peculiar timetable..