Christmas Traditions

Na nossa infância tivemos um Natal Português tradicional com grande influência dos costumes e tradições do norte de Portugal, os nossos avós são oriundos de Trás-os-Montes e do Porto.

O Presépio é a atividade principal de Natal, lembramos da história da natividade com a preparação para construir o presépio. É uma actividade emocionante; procurar o musgo, construir os estábulo, colocar as figuras e cenário da cidade de Belém... or a nossa propria cidade, a mãe lembra que na sua infância a construção do presépio era um projecto de vários dias. Na cidade de Coimbra meus pais visitavam vários presépios da cidade em exposição em área publicas da cidade.

No dia 24 Dezembro, véspera de Natal, à noite, têm lugar a consoada, nesta serve-se bacalhau cozido (ou para os menos tradicionalistas hoje em dia o bacalhau com natas) e a doçaria conventual, rabanadas, sonhos, arroz doce, bolo rei, etc. Nessa noite lemos as escrituras, contamos historias e ou fazemos representações da natividade.

O termo consoada serve não só para designar o banquete familiar da noite de Natal, mas também é utilizado para descrever a reunião familiar na época natalícia.

Na tradição de nossos pais e avós, simbolicamente é o menino Jesus é quem nos dá os presentes, colocamos o sapato de cada um junto ao presepio ou à arvore de natal no dia 24 aonde os presentes são colocadas durante a noite depois do nascimento de Jesus ao lado do sapato. Pela de manhã de dia 25 são abertos os presentes.

São as pessoas que expressam gratidão, por isso presentes singelos embuidos de significado são frequentemente aqueles que melhor expressam o nosso amor e gratidão.

No dia 25, é servido o tradicional cabrito assado no forno ou a classica roupa-velha.

A árvore de natal e o advento, são tradições do norte da Europa que também fazem hoje parte de nossas tradições.

Assim na nossa família as tradições que prevalecem são:

1. Presépio: Maior foco em Cristo
2. Leitura das escrituras: A razão do Natal

3. Arvore de Natal: Luz e vida no Natal
4. Consoada: Demonstrar amor por Jesus, pela familia e amigos

Ceia de Consoada - Menu Tradicional

Peixe: Bacalhau Cozido ou Bacalhau com Natas

Bacalhau Cozido

Cabrito Assado

Arroz Doce

Rabanadas

Sonhos

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