Today's Video: Away in a Manger

Numerous Christmas traditions have been observed through Latin America and the Caribbean this month.  In Peru, for instance, children have received gifts and hot chocolate drinks as part of the las chocolatadas while Mexicans and Central Americas participated in las posadas.

Another typical celebration throughout the region are the use of pesebres, which are depictions of the biblical Nativity scene with Mary and Joseph welcoming the birth of the Baby Jesus in the manger.  Beyond this, the design of the pesebre is up to the eye of their creator and vary in the materials used, the decorations surrounding the manger, and the overall size.  (As Washington Times columnist Mario Salazar described, pesebres are a "mini universe in which anything was allowed.")

A 20,000 square meter site in Bogota, Colombia is vying to be the world's biggest pesebre.  The pesebre is a replica of ancient Bethlehem and includes thousands of figurines,  replicas of Bilbical-era homes and dozens of animatronic figures and actors.

 

The mega-pesebre in Bogota is based on a similar project exhibited in Mexico last year, which can be appreciated in the below video:

The massive Mexican pesebre received over 2.1 million visitors and was recognized with four Guinness World Records.

We'll return on Wednesday with more news and views from around the Americas.

 

Online Sources - Dinero.com, CNN, La Republica, Washington Times

Video Source - YouTune via user Pesebre Guinness