Page 14 - AT

A14 LOCAL
Tuesday 24 december 2019

PascoanAruban Christmas story of faith
EpisodeXLVIII - 49

ORANJESTAD ― At the beginning of December’s nights we live the magic
of Pasco in Aruba through fabulous decorations of lights that glows in the
streets, being best expressed by the well-known Sero Preto or Black hills
dwellings in San Nicolas, but it was not always like that.

Back in the mid-1700s, there was no ago and that reveals the great Chris-
electricity; however the people of tian faith of the Aruban native people.
Aruba were waiting for Christmas with This took place in 1760, in times where
excitement and certain traditions. Prosecutor Miguel Alvarez ruled. Be-
Weeks before Christmas, the Arubans tween the books of the chapel of
began cleaning and painting their Alto Vista, a manuscript was obtained
homes. An old custom was also to tie whose historical value gives us an
three aloe leaves with a bright red rib- idea of the religiosity that occupied
bon and hang that amulet over doors the hearts of the native inhabitants of
and windows to welcome the spirits of Aruba already at that time.The manu-
peace and harmony in each home. script mentions that at the end of the
Typical dishes were enjoyed among year 1760 a neighbor of Alto Vista
the family: Christmas ham, ayaca, named Antonio Gregorio, a man of
goat stew, stuffed turkey and olie advanced age and a devotee be-
bollen(a Dutch tradition). They drank came ill. He was so sick that he under-
chuculati di panda which is hot milk stood that it was his last days and felt a
with peanuts mix and crème punch. great spiritual discomfort because he
Aruba’s families went to the Aurora could die without before first having
Mass to demonstrate their Christian received the holy sacrament given by
faith. It called ‘Aurora’ because it is the Church. Antonio’s greatest wish
celebrated at the dawn of the new was to receive the sacraments before
day.The blessed dawn, the divine sun he died and he asked his family and
light of the East that we waited for has friends to pray for this to happen.
appeared and will no longer be hid- Antonio’s request seemed very diffi-
den in our lives. cult to fulfill since there was no priest
The cradle of Aruba’s Christianity is at Alto Vista at the time. Days passed
found at the north coast of the island. and his illness progressed. Days before
This little chapel has a lot of history Christmas, Antonio’s neighbors and
that attracts many tourists year round friends gathered to pray in the chapel
and for the Aruban population it’s a of Alto Vista.Antonio was getting sick-
place for veneration where they find er and sicker he was confident that
peace and tranquility for their restless God would not abandon him and
spirit. asked the Prosecutor and his friends
to prepare Christmas in the best way
Among the many stories of this small to fulfill his request.
chapel, there is one that happened
during Christmas Eve a quit long time Continued on Page 15