Paradura del Niño (Standing of the Christ Child)

Origin and meaning

The Paradura del Niño (Standing of the Christ Child) is a Catholic tradition of colonial origin that celebrates the moment when the Christ Child of the nativity scene, who has been lying down since Christmas Eve, "stands up" symbolically to begin walking. It is part of the extended Christmas cycle that runs from December 24 to February 2 (Candlemas Day, the presentation of the Child in the temple).

Although the tradition is mainly Andean (Mérida, Trujillo, Táchira), it has a presence in Lara, especially in Sanare and in areas of El Tocuyo and the Humocaros with migrated Andean population.

When it is done

Any day between January 6 (Epiphany) and February 2 (Candlemas). The exact date is decided by the host family.

The ceremony

Preparation

• Family members, neighbors and compadres (godparents) are invited to the house.
• The nativity scene remains as it was since Christmas Eve: the Child is lying in the manger.
• Candles decorated with flowers and ribbons are prepared for the godparents.
• The closing food and drink are prepared.

The rosary

The ceremony begins with the complete praying of the rosary (five mysteries) in front of the nativity scene. Those present respond with devotion.

The standing

After the rosary, the godparents of the Child —chosen by the family, usually people of respect in the community— "stand up" the image: they lift it from the manger and place it standing up.

The songs of the paradura are sung:

"Now the Child has risen, / now the Child wanted to stand, / let us sing the aguinaldos (Christmas carols) / to the Child on his altar…"

The walk

The godparents —carrying candles— and those present go out in procession around the house or down the street, walking the Child in their arms. They sing aguinaldos (Christmas carols) as they advance. The route is usually short: one walk around the block or several walks around the patio.

Return to the nativity scene

On returning, the Child is placed standing in the manger —no longer lying down—. A few last aguinaldos are sung.

Blessing and serving

The traditional closing includes:

• Bizcochuelo —fluffy sweet sponge cake— offered to all attendees.
• Sweet wine or misterela (homemade liquor based on aguardiente and spices).
• Black coffee and chocolate.

The children attending are given a sweet and a small print of the Christ Child.

The music

The aguinaldos paraduras are songs specific to this tradition. Some are universal in Venezuela; others have local variants from El Tocuyo and the Andes. The typical instruments are:

• Cuatro (Venezuelan four-string guitar).
• Charrasca (metallic scraping instrument).
• Maracas.
• Small tambora.
• Sometimes a tiple violin.

Meaning

The Paradura fulfills several functions:

• Religious: it prolongs the Christmas cycle and honors the Christ Child.
• Community: it brings together families, godparents, neighbors.
• Pedagogical: it transmits the tradition and the aguinaldos to the children.
• Festive: it is an occasion for food, drink and gathering.

In El Tocuyo

In El Tocuyo, the Paradura does not have the strength it has in the Andes —it is stronger in Mérida and Trujillo— but it is maintained in specific families, especially in rural areas of the Morán Municipality such as Humocaro Alto, Humocaro Bajo and Guárico, where the Andean heritage is palpable. It is also practiced in El Tocuyo households with Andean origins through marriage or migration.

If you visit any of these towns in January, ask if there are paraduras: families usually openly invite visitors.