Christmas Lyn
Christmas in Mexico is very different from that in the U.S. or Europe, but no less fascinating.
When we hear of Christmas, most of us think of customs that originated in Northern Europe, such as evergreen wreaths, holiday markets, and Yule Log.
Mexican Christmas traditions, in turn, honor the local culture and were mainly brought in by the Spaniards in the 17th century.
Mexicans place great importance on the religious aspect of Christmas and don’t commercialize it as much as Northern regions.
The celebrations start early, on December 12, and end on Epiphany.
The truth is, some Christmas traditions originating in Mexico were later adopted by Americans and the rest of the world. For instance, poinsettias and turkeys are native to the region.
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Virgen de Guadalupe Feast
The Christmas season in Mexico officially commences on December 12, not on Christmas Eve like in the USA.
This day is called the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, or Dia de la Virgin de Guadalupe, and is celebrated with an abundant feast.
Virgin of Guadalupe is the Catholic name of Mary, Jesus’ mother. The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is the national shrine of Mexico, built in Mexico City in 1709.
In addition, the Virgin of Guadalupe’s figure appears on numerous paintings displayed in Mexican churches.
In fact, the Virgin of Guadalupe is widely considered the symbol of Mexico. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, her image was seen as unifying for the nation.
Even the first President of Mexico, José Miguel Ramón Adaucto Fernández y Félix, changed his name to Guadalupe Victoria in her honor. So it’s no wonder December 12 is such an important date for Mexicans.
However, the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe commemorates not Mary in general but her appearance to an indigenous Mexican man on December 12, 1531.
People celebrate it by attending a mass and hosting a large feast comparable to that of Noche Buena.
Thousands of Mexicans travel to the place where Mary allegedly appeared in 1531.
Since it’s a national holiday, major cities in Mexico host parades with traditional music, dances, and attractions, and some bring flowers and other gifts to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Posadas
The time from December 16 to December 24 in Mexico is known as Posadas. The word “posadas” translates as “shelter” in Spanish. This period commemorates Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter on their way to Bethlehem.
Some scholars, however, suggest the nine days of Posadas represent the nine months Jesus has spent in a womb, not Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.
Regardless of the real meaning of Posadas, it’s just as important as Christmas itself in Mexico.
Posadas celebrations involve singing Mexican Christmas carols, breaking pinatas, and a traditional procession.
Everyone participating is carrying candles, and often, the two leading people are dressed as Mary and Joseph or carry their portraits.
Posadas procession typically visits homes asking for shelter, and the homeowners must refuse.
It would then head to the next home until it makes its way to a particular home or local church. There, the participants sing La Canción Para Pedir Posada.
After the festivities end, people go home and continue the celebrations in the family circle. Each night of the Posadas, Mexicans honor a different quality: chastity, trust, justice, purity, joy, and generosity.
The traditional Posadas foods are tamales and hot drinks, such as ponche or atole. Ponche is a fruit punch with spices, and atole is a cornmeal drink with vanilla and cinnamon.
Nacimientos
The Nativity Scene can be found in Christian homes around the world, and Mexicans are no exception. Nacimientos are the most important Christmas decorations in Mexico, more important than Christmas trees or garlands.
Nacimientos are traditionally set up on December 16, the first day of Posadas. On the first day, they feature only figurines of Mary and Joseph.
As time goes by, more figures are added to the scene. So, Jesus is put into his manger on Christmas Eve, and the Three Kings appear in the scene on Epiphany.
Nacimientos aren’t reserved for Mexican homes. Churches, schools, shopping centers, and city streets tend to display elaborate, full-sized Nativity Scenes.
Pastorelas
Pastorelas is a theatrical performance shown in Mexico in early December, setting the mood for long holiday celebrations.
They recreate the shepherd’s journey to Jesus following the Star of Bethlehem. On their way, the main characters have to confront the evil and are saved by Archangel Michael.
Despite a serious topic, pastorelas use playful language and generously sprinkle the performance with humor. In this way, they are similar to British pantomimes and are beloved by both children and adults.
Caroling
Caroling is a big deal in Mexico. Children and grown-ups sing traditional holiday songs throughout the entire Posadas season and on Christmas Day. Unlike British or American children, they never receive coins but often get treats.
Christmas carols in Mexico are called villancicos. Many of them are Spanish translations of popular carols such as Silent Night or The 12 Days of Christmas.
Others, like The Fishes in the River (Los Peces en el Río), are unique to the region.
Poinsettia
Have you ever wondered how poinsettia became a Christmas symbol? This beautiful bright flower is native to Mexico and was long used by the Aztecs to treat illnesses and dye clothes. At that time, the shrub was known as Cuetlaxochitl.
However, it wasn’t until the 17th century that the flower started to be associated with Christmas.
In the small town of Taxco de Alarcon, monks began carrying the flower in their Posadas processions following a local Christmas legend about a young girl named Pepita.
According to the story, Pepita was very poor and didn’t have anything to gift Jesus for his birthday. She was traveling home sad and encountered her cousin on the way.
He then told Pepita that even the smallest gift given with genuine love is acceptable in Christ’s eyes. And so, Pepita took some weeds off the side of the road and went to the local church.
After she placed the weeds at the Nativity Scene, they miraculously turned into bright red flowers that the locals knew as Cuetlaxochitl.
Until the 19th century, the association on the shrub with Christmas was reserved for Mexico. In 1828, the first USA Ambassador to Mexico and a botanic enthusiast Joel Roberts Poinsett took a work trip to the region.
He then discovered the shrub in the countryside of Taxco and took it to his home in South Carolina. There, Poinsett studied the plant and cultivated it. He started gifting it to colleagues and friends for Christmas.
The plant was named after its cultivator. Poinsettia quickly gained popularity as a Christmas plant in the USA. Soon, the tradition has spread to Europe.
Today, poinsettia is a must in every Mexican home at Christmas time. The shrub is available not solely in classic red but also in pink, yellow, and speckled patterns.
Noche Buena
Noche Buena translates as “good night” in Spanish, but in Mexico, it’s the name of Christmas Eve. Many Mexican families attend the Midnight Mass in the local church, followed by a large feast.
Like in the 17th century, poinsettias are still an important part of religious celebrations of Jesus’ birth. They can be found in any Mexican church and are often involved in ceremonial processions during the Midnight Mass.
Noche Buena dinner is indulgent and abundant, so Christmas Day is usually spent recovering. A Nativity Scene is often laced in the center of the table to commemorate the reason everyone has gathered around the table.
After the family dinner, Mexicans exchange gifts. However, they don’t usually hang stockings on the fireplace but rather leave presents under the Christmas tree or hand them directly to the receiver.
Christmas Foods in Mexico
Preparations for the most important feast of the year, Noche Buena, begin in the early morning or the day before.
Mexican women traditionally cook 13 dishes to represent Jesus and the 12 Apostles, though many families today suffice with fewer meals.
Some Mexican Christmas foods are similar to American, for instance, turkey with stuffing or truffles. After all, turkey is native to Mexico. However, generally, the Mexican Christmas menu embraces the local culture and is pretty unique.
The Mexican-favorite holiday meal is tamales. These cornmeal dumplings with a variety of fillings are consumed throughout the entire Posadas season.
Since tamales preparation is extremely time-consuming, all women of the family typically make them together.
Ensalada de Noche Buena translates as Christmas salad. It features a festive combination of fruits and vegetables that may vary depending on the chef’s preferences. The most common ingredients are carrots, beets, pineapple, and beans.
For dessert, Mexicans eat bunuelos – crispy donuts sprinkled with sugar powder and covered in syrup. Rosca de Reyes is another Mexican Christmas dessert – sweet bread with cane sugar and syrup.
As for drinks, Mexicans prefer champurrado (hot chocolate with ground nuts, spices, and citrus zest) and ponche navideno (guava and apple hot drink with cinnamon and optional alcohol).
That’s an interesting alternative to mulled wine and eggnog.
