Las Novenas (Christmas Prayers)

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Las Novenas are daily prayers beginning nine days before Christmas, to prepare before the arrival of El Niño Jesus (the baby Jesus).

I shared a post with Colombian Christmas and New Year's Traditions before, but I wanted to give some of my favorite traditions the spotlight.

What are Las Novenas?

They are celebrated each year between December 16 and December 24. We go from one relative’s home to another every night and gather around the pesebre(nativity) and have Christmas appetizers, pray and sing villancicos (Christmas carols), which we sing along with rattles we make of bottle caps passed through a wire, panderetas or maracas.

It's a beautiful celebration that brings family and friends together. Kids and adults love this Colombian Christmas tradition.

Here is a list of popular dishes to serve during "La Novena".

Colombian Buñuelos Recipe

Buñuelos are a traditional Colombian Christmas treat, but they are also popular year round for breakfast with hot chocolate or coffee. On December 7th in Colombia, friends get together to celebrate “el dia e las velitas”, a Christmas tradition in honor of the Virgin Mary. They light candles in front of their houses or on.

Check out this recipe

Buñuelos Colombianos (Colombian Buñuelos)|mycolombianrecipes.com

Coconut Natilla Recipe

Natilla is a sweet custard that is traditionally served during Colombian Christmas gatherings. There are many variations of this dish throughout the country but this Natilla is my grandmother’s recipe and is very special to me. I called my mom and one of my aunts for the recipe, but they didn’t have it because they

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Colombian Hojuelas or Hojaldras Recipe

I want to share another traditional Colombian Christmas treat with you. These Hojuelas or Hojaldras are a delicious fried pastry that we eat with Natilla and Buñuelos at Christmas gatherings. Just writing this post made me homesick and I began missing the holidays in Colombia with my family. Growing up in a big Colombian family

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Natilla Tradicional Colombiana Recipe (Colombian Christmas Sweet Custard)

Natilla is a sweet custard that is traditionally served during Colombian Christmas gatherings. There are many variations of Natilla in Colombia. This traditional Colombian Natilla recipe is made with panela, a sweet brown product made from sugar cane, also known as piloncillo in Mexico. Panela is the key ingredient to make a traditional Colombian Natilla.

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Colombian Sabajón Recipe

Sabajón is the Colombian version of eggnog, spiked with Aguardiente (firewater), a strong alcoholic drink made from anise and sugar cane or rum.

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Fritanga o Picada Colombiana ( Fried Food Platter)

I'm a Colombian who loves and misses Colombian food, even though some of those foods are just a bit unhealthy, like this Fritanga o Picada Colombiana, a platter of fried meats and vegetables. Though fritanga is something I eat once a year, it's a traditional Colombian dish I thoroughly love and enjoy whenever I eat

Check out this recipe

Fritanga o Picada Colombiana ( Fried Food Platter)

Colombian-Style Fried Pork Belly Recipe (Chicharrón Colombiano)

Food represents heritage and tradition for Colombians. I was lucky to grow up in a family who loves to cook and memories of cooking and eating together are in my mind and my heart. Every time I cook, eat or smell traditional Colombian food, I am reminded of my country and my family. Chicharrón or

Check out this recipe

Colombian-Style Fried Pork Belly (Chicharrón Colombiano)|mycolombianrecipes.com

Colombian Empanadas Recipe

These Colombian Empanadas are a popular snack in Colombia and are served by most Colombian restaurants in the USA. Traditionally, these delicious fritters are made with shredded pork and beef, but in my family we always make them with ground meat. Serve them with ají and lime wedges on the side. In Colombia, empanadas are.

Check out this recipe

Colombian Empanadas (Empanadas Colombianas) |mycolombianrecipes.com

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Comments

Helena

December 15, 2025 at 6:47 am

Hi Erica, I was also born in so-called Colombia and then raised here in Connecticut although through an illegal adoption but that’s for a different discussion…anyway for some odd reason I have stayed true to my Native indigenous roots and don’t consider myself Christian nor really celebrate xmass even tho my Euro-Christian now calling themselves Americans parents do. But I’m curious do you have more of a Spanish heritage? I’ve just always been curious why I have always true to my indigenous roots and not the colonizer ways which includes their traditions, languages, and most especially their religion which I have always resisted like the Kogi indigenous peoples of our homelands? Just trying to understand why my brain is wired so differently and was never throughly brainwashed & colonized like most others is all! Thank you!

Erica

January 01, 2010 at 7:07 pm

Thank you all for the comments and for visiting!

Cynthia

December 26, 2009 at 5:34 pm

Happy Holidays!

Lucia

December 26, 2009 at 11:05 am

Merry Christmas!

Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen

December 26, 2009 at 10:57 am

Feliz Navidad Erica! Hope you have a happy new year!

Joy

December 25, 2009 at 9:07 pm

Merry Christmas to you and to all your loved ones!
Feliz Navidad!

Natalie

December 25, 2009 at 6:00 pm

Merry Christmas Erica...hope you and your family have a wonderful time !

Empar

December 25, 2009 at 1:37 pm

FELIZ NAVIDAD!! Erica.
Y que tengas un Año 2010, lleno de todos tus mejores deseos.
Un beso

KennyT

December 25, 2009 at 12:55 pm

Nice photo!! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Ivy

December 25, 2009 at 11:56 am

Feliz Navidad and Happy holidays. Happy New year with good health to you and your family.
This is the best Christmas song ever and I love Jose Feliciano, ever since I was at school.

Pilar

December 25, 2009 at 11:26 am

Merry Christmas Erica!

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