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Day of the Little Candles
After a long time of waiting, Christmas is already here, with it all the beautiful and enjoyable traditions. Families from all over the world take advantage of this holiday to get together and share new memories.
In Colombia, Christmas is the most awaited moment of the year, along with New years and of course the famous day of the little candles or “Dia de las velitas.” Every December 7th, families light several candles to pray for their loved ones and make petitions for the new year, but although it is quite traditional, few people know the
reason for this tradition.
The celebration of the day of the little candles dates back to December 7, 1854, when Pope Pius IX defined the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary as a belief, published in his apostolic constitution, Ineffabilis Deus. In anticipation of this decision, people lit candles and paper lanterns to show their support and faith in this idea which means that the first Noche de Velitas was a worldwide event, not just a Colombian tradition.
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So how did this celebration turn into a Colombian tradition? Well, that is an easy question. The Colombian Catholic Church continued to promote it in later years and effectively turned the celebration into an annual tradition in Colombia.
Since then, every year, the Catholic religion has commemorated this day by lighting candles and lanterns to pay homage to the Virgin Mary. Although it originated as a Catholic celebration, the day of the candles has been adopted by many households regardless of whether they share this creed. For many, this celebration is the ideal date to give thanks for the good moments of the year that is ending and to make wishes and requests for the new year.
To finish I want to say that the day of the little candles is the moment when Christmas officially begins in Colombia, it is that announcement that says that Christmas has arrived in the country.
So, what are you waiting for? This December 7th light candles of all colors with your family and celebrate this beautiful season.