THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS IN MY CHILDHOOD By: Beatriz Helena González Gómez I don’t remember many things about my childhood. I lived my early days in Santuario, we were three women and six men (my older brother passed away) and my parents didn’t have much money for celebrations; therefore, in my house we didn’t celebrate a lot. However, the holidays on Christmas were unforgettable. I enjoyed greatly the Christmas preparations, but the most important thing for me was making the manger. All my siblings went to the country side to pick up moss and other plants for the manger. It was a fabulous event because everyone had to do something. My older brother was the organizer. The manger was made, in every house and children from the neighborhood came to pray. Those days were very special because we were given candies and gifts. My sister and I sang Christmas Carol in every house and we did it very well. On December 24th everyone in my family received a gift. The following day, every children from the neighborhood got out from their houses to enjoy their toys and show them to their friends. Today, when I think about that stage of my life, I feel homesickness because we shared many things with friends and relatives quietly. Now the Christmas holidays are very different: a lot of liquor, too much noise, little prayer and people don’t share with the family. We have lost the true essence of Christmas and I’m so sad.