In researching A Portuguese Christmas, I learned that on Christmas Eve, many Portuguese families gather around the Christmas tree and Crèche to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Catholicism is the main religion practiced in Portugal, and the Crèche is an extremely important part of Christmas festivities.
A fun activity for Portuguese children is collecting materials, such as moss and clay, for the Crèche,
Some families display Infant Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. However, other displays will feature shepherds, sheep, and the three wise men.
Although the American tradition focuses on children writing letters to Santa Claus for gifts, Portuguese children write letters to the Infant Jesus.
Here’s the blurb for A Portuguese Christmas:
Love can come softly, like holiday snow. Or sweep you away like a riptide.
World-class surfer Krystal Walters would have appreciated the beauty of her surroundings—a quaint cottage in a fragrant Portuguese olive grove—if a wipeout hadn’t changed all her holiday plans.
Now, suffering the dizzying aftereffects of multiple concussions, she’s determined to make it home to Rhode Island for Christmas, even if she has to defy doctor’s orders. Except those orders are being enforced by Adolfo Silva. A man as arrogant as he is ruggedly handsome.
Spending every waking moment working to make the family olive farm a success, Adolfo barely has time to savor a traditional Feliz Natal. But the moment Krystal disappears under a mountain of sea water, his focus shifts to a sun-kissed spitfire with golden hair, sky-blue eyes, and a will as immovable as his own.
Keeping her safe is his first priority, but this bold, courageous woman’s wings won’t be clipped. Before they can plant the seeds of a future together, he’ll have to convince her that spending Christmas—and maybe every holiday to come—with him isn’t the end of the world. Because she’s become the center of his.
Check out the youtube video here.
A Portuguese Christmas is also available on audible.com and paperback.