In Colombia, December is not just a month on the calendar; it's a journey. A nine-day journey that begins on December 16th and, step by step, prayer by prayer, brings us closer to the mystery of Bethlehem. This spiritual journey is called the Novena de Aguinaldos, and its third day, December 18th, marks a moment of deep reflection on the hope and perseverance of the path.
While in cities the Christmas hustle intensifies with lights and shopping, in millions of homes, from apartments in Bogotá to bahareque houses in coffee towns, a candle is lit and the family gathers. It's novena time. Day 3 invites us to contemplate the journey of Joseph and Mary, already advanced, laden with fatigue but sustained by unshakable faith. It's not just a ritual; it's an act of collective memory that weaves generations together.
The Traditional Prayer of Day 3: December 18th
The heart of each day is its prayer. The one for the third day, inherited from centuries-old traditions, usually begins like this:
"Blessed be the moment when the Most Holy Mary, full of grace, conceived the Savior of the world. Oh Wisdom, who came forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from one end to the other, and ordering all things with strength and sweetness: come to teach us the path of prudence."
This invocation, which may vary slightly between regions—in Antioquia it's heard with a more paused tone, on the Caribbean Coast with a more musical cadence—emphasizes the Wisdom (Oh Sapientia) of God. It's a reminder that the journey to Bethlehem, like any true pilgrimage, requires more than physical strength; it needs the clarity and prudence that only superior wisdom can give. By reciting it, one joins a chain of voices that, for centuries, have asked for light on the path.
The Complete Journey: Prayers for the Nine Days of the Novena
The novena is a symphony of nine movements. Each day has its own emphasis, building the narrative towards Christmas Eve:
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- Day 1 (Dec 16): Prayer for humility and readiness to receive the Child God.
- Day 2 (Dec 17): Meditation on the charity and love that motivated the journey.
- Day 3 (Dec 18): Today, as we saw, we ask for wisdom and prudence for the journey.
- Day 4 (Dec 19): The prayer focuses on strength in the face of difficulties.
- Day 5 (Dec 20): Invocation of counsel to make the right decisions.
- Day 6 (Dec 21): Day of piety and compassion.
- Day 7 (Dec 22): Asking for understanding of the approaching mystery.
- Day 8 (Dec 23): Prayer for the fear of God, understood as respect and reverence.
- Day 9 (Dec 24): The culmination: celebration of the joy of the imminent birth.
This scheme, based on the O Antiphons, is the common skeleton. But the flesh and soul are given by each family, each community, which adds joys, carols (like the unavoidable "Mi burrito sabanero") and their own prayers.
Living the Tradition: Cultural Context and a Respectful Invitation
Participating in a novena in Colombia, whether as a curious visitor or a local rediscovering their roots, is to immerse yourself in a rite of intimacy and community. It's not a tourist spectacle, but a sacred domestic space. If you have the opportunity to be invited to one, here are some keys:
Arrive punctually, a small detail like candles or a box of natilla is well received. Observe, listen. It's not necessary to recite if you don't feel comfortable; an attitude of respect and attentive listening is enough. After the prayers comes sharing: buñuelos, manzanilla, stories. That's where the tradition truly comes alive, in the conversation between grandparents and children, in laughter mixing Spanish with, perhaps, a bit of paisa or coastal accent.
Regional variations are a treasure. In Nariño, the novena may have a more solemn nuance; in Huila, accompanied by rajaleñas. These differences don't break the tradition, they enrich it, showing how the same rite takes unique roots in each terrain.
Where to Experience Colombian Christmas Tradition?
If you want to experience Colombian Christmas in all its authenticity, we recommend some places where the tradition is felt with special strength:
- Bogotá: The Primada Cathedral and churches in the historic center usually have community novenas open to the public.
- Medellín: Known for its Christmas lights, in traditional neighborhoods like Laureles and El Poblado, family novenas are organized.
- Cartagena: In the Getsemaní neighborhood, novenas mix with music and Afro-Caribbean traditions.
- Popayán: The religious city par excellence, offers novenas in its colonial churches with unique solemnity.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Colombian Novena
What exactly is the Novena de Aguinaldos?
It's a Colombian Catholic tradition of nine days of prayer preparing for Christmas, from December 16th to 24th. It includes prayers, carols, and sharing typical foods.
Can I participate if I'm not Catholic or don't know the prayers?
Of course! The most important thing is respect. You can attend, listen, and participate in the subsequent sharing without needing to recite the prayers.
What should I bring if I'm invited to a novena?
It's polite to bring a small detail: candles, natilla, buñuelos or manzanilla. The most valuable thing is your respectful attitude and openness to learning about the tradition.
Where can I find the complete text of the nine prayers?
In most Catholic bookstores in Colombia, or online through sites like the Colombian Episcopal Conference.
Day 3 of the novena, then, is more than a date on the calendar. It's a stop on the journey, a moment to take a deep breath and ask for wisdom before continuing to advance towards the manger. It's a thread in the fabric of a Christmas that, in Colombia, is lived with heart in hand and feet firm in a tradition that, year after year, reminds us where we come from and where, with hope, we walk together.
