Christmas and The Feast of The Three Kings (The Epiphany) in Spanish Colonial Mobile, Alabama 1780-1813 // Las Navidades y La Fiesta de los Reyes Magos en la epoca Colonial Espanola en Mobile, Alabama 1780-1813.

The Spanish who settled in Mobile, Alabama during the Spanish Colonial era (1780-1813) were very few in number and were composed almost entirely of Colonial Officials and Military Personnel.

The concept of "Christmas" as we know it today was not ingrained in the Spanish Culture. The Spanish celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ by having a large supper with family and friends known as the "Noche Buena" (Good Night) on December 24th, Christmas Eve. This was followed by "La Misa Del Gallo" (The Rooster' Mass) held at midnight on Christmas Eve. This tradition continues today among Hispanic's, in all Hispanic Nations.

The tradition of giving children gifts was held on The Feast of The Three Kings (January 6th) which also known as the Epiphany. There are remnants of this tradition along the Gulf Coast, where it is known as "12th Night" the traditional beginning of the Mardi Gras Season.

You can listen to my Radio show episode about this and other Christmas Traditions along the Gulf Coast by clicking on this link  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rosales-history-of-the-south/2010/12/18/rosales-history-of-the-south-show-5-la-historia-de. I hope you enjoy it.

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Los Españoles que se establecieron en Mobile, Alabama durante la era Colonial Española (1780-1813) eran pocos y se componían casi por completo de Oficiales Coloniales y personal militar.

El concepto de “Navidad” como los conocemos hoy en día no está incrustado en la cultura Española. Los Españoles celebraban el nacimiento de Jesucristo con una gran cena junto a familia y amigos conocida como “Noche Buena” el 24 de Diciembre, Nochebuena. Esto daba curso a la Misa del Gallo a la medianoche de la Nochebuena. Esta tradición es continuada hoy en día por Hispanos en todas las naciónes Hispanas.

La tradición de dar regalos a los niños se llevaba acabo durante la Fiesta de los Reyes Magos (6 de Enero) que también se conoce como la Epifanía. Aún quedan rasgos de esta tradición a lo largo del Golfo donde se conoce como la Duodécima Noche, noche tradicional que da comienzo a la temporada de Mardi Gras.