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.
Tag: church
El Sagario
December 12 honors the Virgin of Guadalupe and she is especially important in Latin America. We slipped into El Sagrario and were met with a full Mariachi band plating before an altar honoring the Virgin completely covered with roses, lilies and sunflowers. People were singing with the mariachis and clapping and praying all at one time. The altar at the front of the church was covered with calla lilies and a beautiful Latin interpretation of Bethlehem. The church was started in 1657 and completed in 1706. By most standards it is small, but today it felt like tchurch most worshippers felt at home in. Respectful of the congregation, Troy did not take pictures. However, the crowd outside did not waste a minute making a profit. Reminded me of the New Testament story when Jesus cleansed the temple.