I

BRAZIL

Many Brazilian Christmas traditions come from Portugal as Portugal ruled Brazil for many years. Nativity Scenes, known as Presario are very popular. They are set-up in churches and homes all through December.

Christmas plays called Los pastures (The Shepherds), like the plays in Mexico, are also popular. In the Brazilian versions of the play, there's also traditionally a shepherdess and also a woman who tries to steal the baby Jesus.

Most people, especially Catholics, will go to a Midnight Mass service or Massa do gaol (Mass of the Roster). The mass normally finishes about 1.00am. On Christmas day, people might go to church again, but this time the services are often in the afternoon.

After the Massa do Gallo there are often big firework displays and in big towns and cities there are big Christmas Tree shaped displays of electric lights.

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