Agros Blog

As the celebration of Christmas is upon us, you might be asking what is it like for the people in the Agros villages. How do they celebrate? How do those outside the Agros communities still waiting for the opportunity, how do they celebrate? There is a quote from Martin Luther King that says, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Can it be that there is truly no Christmas, no real celebrations until all have achieved dignity and the image of God in which we are all created?

Join us and listen to the ways in which villagers mark the passage of Christmas:

Mexico:
With respect to the Christmas celebration, Sergio Sanchez, the Agros Mexico Executive Director writes: “In Nueva Palestina… there are some variations, but in general they will hold a worship service giving thanks in their church and afterwards they will all share a meal among the families of the village, all sharing together in what they have brought. Often the Agros staff is also invited.

Nicaragua:
In Nicaragua, the staff have worked with the villagers to prepare a special time of giving thanks for another year of life, for the harvest of crops, for their families, for the new members of the community. It is also a time to remember the achievements of the communities as well as the challenges… the happy times and the sad times are all a part of our life here and it all helps us to mature and develop.

In each community a symbolic road is drawn, and with the families and staff we all draw our footprints — marking the places where we have walked together. In this way we remember how we’ve shared our lives with one another. We also give thanks for the birth of Jesus as part of our birth, of renewing our commitments as we seek together to construct the Kingdom of God together.

It is a beautiful ceremony in which we share food and have a party with the entire community.

Honduras:
In Honduras Christmas is a family celebration. Villagers often also invite their friends and neighbors to join in the fiesta. In the Agros communities, the families all participate in these family times. The typical food for Christmas is the tamale with chicken, pork, and home-made bread.

On Christmas Eve it is common for the families to come together just before midnight and share in the experience together.

El Salvador:
Traditionally the families of El Salvador begin the celebration of Christmas on the eve of the 24th. They may make tamales of duck, chicken or pork, “gallina de india rellena” (chicken with stuffing) and pan dulce (special breads). Each household prepares a little tree and at the foot of the tree places a representation of Jesus´ birth. The “Baby Jesus” is discovered at midnight or in the morning and usually the honor of placing the baby in the nativity scene is reserved for the youngest or oldest in the family.

What traditions would you share with the people in the villages about your Christmas?