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Nochebuena

Nochebuena is a special celebration in Spanish-speaking countries that takes place on the night of December 24th. It's kind of like Christmas Eve but with some different traditions.

On this night, families come together and have a big meal called "Cena de Nochebuena," which means "Christmas Eve dinner." They usually eat lots of delicious food like roast pork, tamales, or Spanish-style codfish. After dinner, some families attend a special church service called "La Misa de Gallo," which means "The Rooster's Mass."

Another popular tradition of Nochebuena is setting up a "Nacimiento" or manger scene. This is a small display of the nativity scene with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, and other characters like the Wise Men or the Shepherds. Families may spend time admiring their Nacimiento and praying together.

Finally, at midnight, people exchange gifts and hug each other while wishing "Feliz Navidad," which means "Merry Christmas." They may also set off fireworks or sing carols to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

In summary, Nochebuena is a special celebration in Spanish-speaking countries where families come together for a big meal, attend church, set up a nativity scene, and exchange gifts to celebrate Christmas Eve.
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