Question: Christmas Angels Around the World: Costa Rica

Here's a look at some Christmas angel traditions from Costa Rica...

Answer:

In Costa Rica, children dress up as angels during a special Christmas celebration called Las Posadas in which they reenact the story of what happened on the first Christmas when Jesus was born. Posadas lasts for nine nights, and some children play the roles of angels, while others portray Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the star of Bethlehem.

The children move to a different neighbor's house each night of Posadas, since Mary and Joseph couldn't find room to stay at the inn where they were seeking lodging in Bethlehem.

Costa Ricans also enjoy displaying brightly colored nativity scenes called portals in their homes, and the portals often feature angels. They also decorate Christmas trees with angel ornaments.

Christmas lights are popular in Costa Rica, and some are in the shape of angels, reminding people of the heavenly light that filled the sky over Bethlehem when angels appeared there on the first Christmas.

The people of Costa Rica enjoy singing Christmas carols about angels, both in church worship services and at home.