According to Venezuelan tradition, the Christ Child himself is responsible for bringing gifts on Christmas Day--often assisted by a guardian angel or two. The holiday celebration begins on December 24th and often continues until January 6th, the day when the Magi paid their visit to the Baby Jesus. Catholic re- ligious rituals dominate many of the Venezuelan Christmas customs, but since this nation has been influenced by many cultures, there are other features added to the festivities. Most families display a rather elaborate nativity scene at home, and then add the Baby Jesus to the manger at the stroke of midnight on Christmas. The Christmas Eve dinner features hallacas, pan de jamon, pavo, pernil de cochino, and dulce de Lochosa. After drinking the delicious homemade beverage named Ponche creme, young people roller skate to midnight Mass. On the way they may hear Christmas songs called Parrandas o Aguinaldo or the traditional, regional music known as Maracaibo. The festivities continue through New Years, when each person puts 12 grapes into a glass of champagne. At midnight, they eat one grape for each strike of the New Year's clock, and then drink the champagne. Another New Year's tradition is to make a life- size doll of Judas and light fireworks to burn him-symbolizing the end of the old year and a fresh start for the new year.
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