Día de las Velitas

Our five little candles... the first to light up in the early evening!!!!!

The Day of the Little Candles is officially celebrated on the eve of the Day of the Immaculate Conception (December 8th). It is one of the most observed traditional holidays here in Colombia. As the sun goes down on December 7th, people place candles and paper lanterns on their windows, balconies, porches, sidewalks, parks and local squares. We took a walk down to the square next to Hacienda Santa Barbara to light five candles... one for each member of our little family. As we lit each candle, each of us set an intention for something positive on earth... in our home, in our world.

Traditionally, the candles are lit to honour the Virgin Mary and in particular her immaculate conception of Jesus Christ. As some of you might know, Colombia is extremely religious, and dominantly Catholic. The celebration of the Day of the Candles dates back to December 8, 1854 when Pope Pius IX published a constitution that marked the Immaculate Conception as dogma in the Catholic faith. In anticipation of this announcement, people showed their support and faith by lighting candles and paper lanterns.

Colombia is one of the few places in the world that continues to observe this tradition. And while the customs vary slightly in different parts of the country, it is a very big deal all over the country
In Bogotá, this is the day that begins the full expression of Christmas decorations and families make plans to walk the streets all over the city to enjoy the beautiful lights and light their own candles. On the coast, the lighting of the candles and lanterns takes place in the early hours of December 8th, just before sunrise, instead of the night before. In Cali, the Cali River is illuminated for the season and people walk in almost a pilgrimage along the river. All over the country, this day brings families together to celebrate with food, drinks and lights.

One of the most interesting things about celebrating the festival of lights here, is that it has afforded me the opportunity to learn more about the day of the immaculate conception. I had always been under the false impression that December 8th marked the day of the 'actual immaculate conceptuon'. Meanwhile, it simply marks the day it became dogma in the eyes of the church. Certainly makes much more sense than a 3-week pregnancy!!!