Our city, Gravatai, Brazil, is in an urban setting – at least the part that we live in.   Because we live in the southern hemisphere we are heading into summer and have already had some temperatures in the 90s.  The stores have had Christmas decorations out since the beginning of November, but it does seem a little strange still to see fans sold alongside artificial Christmas trees. Real trees are not very common here, although they can be found if you search hard enough.  A traditional Brazilian Christmas involves a churrasco, or BBQ, around 9 or 10 at night followed by fireworks at midnight. They also have fireworks for New Years Eve.

Our family usually gets together with the other missionary family in the area to share a meal, although we have our meal earlier in the day.  I miss the cold and snow at this time of year because that’s something that always signaled that Christmas was coming for me.  Our children have only celebrated Christmas in Brazil, so all they know is the way we celebrate with them.

Brazilians have their own Santa Claus, called Papai Noel, and presents are exchanged, although people here don’t spend as much as Americans do when it comes to presents.  Since we’ve moved here the true meaning of Christmas has become all the more clear because so many of the things that used to mean Christmas aren’t here – snow, cold weather, family and traditional foods.

Brandi Bivens