December 15 marks the day Latin Americans truly begin preparation for Christmas. This does not necessarily mean more shopping, baking or decorating, but it does mean returning to the sweet spirit of Christmas. Troy and I returned to Iglesia Carmen de la Asuncion for the first service of the Preparation of the Birth. The church founded in 1682 is beautifully embellished with pink and blue designs, several simple chapels and a glorious gilded altar that today was decorated to honor the Christ Child. Like a stage, silver drapes were on either side of the main altar more silver across the top was outlined with tiny green lights. Gold lame was draped between the silver panels and on top of that a rose bedecked crown that was about six feet in height and width was the center piece. Streaming from the crown were yards and yards of fushia netting festooned with tiny white lights that randomly turned off and on. On each side of this bouquets of calla lilies to honor the Virgin caught the eye then led the eye down to eight bouquets of pink roses with about 8 dozen roses in each bouquet. The altar table was covered in white linen with hand embroidered roses bordering the cloth. Despite the elaborate decorations, the service was simple. Prayers for those who needed it, reading from the Gospel and the Old Testament, and two guitars playing traditional carols for the audience to sing along. The offering plate was passed and a rather simple man passed his own paper plate and the congregation seemed to understand him and placed coins on the plate. It was then time to pass the Peace and we took tiny Ecuadorian hands in our hands and felt a part of the congregation. We slipped out during communion and felt blessed to have shared this experience.
