In Mexico, Christmas festivities begin nine days before Christmas, which represents the time period when Mary and Joseph were seeking shelter before the birth of Jesus, and continue through January 6 when the three wise men presented him with gifts.
Las Posadas
This Mexican Christmas tradition is the best known manifestation of the Christmas spirit held each night on the nine days between December 16 and Christmas Eve, which represents the period when Mary and Joseph were searching for lodging before the birth of Jesus. At first these observances were solemn and deeply religious, but they evolved into more lighthearted observances and eventually left the church and began to be celebrated in people's homes.
The posadas have become a community affair with friends, relatives and neighbors getting together to share the festivities. People carry candles and visit several houses and ask for "posada" (shelter). The adults are given a thick punch called "Ponche Navideno." At the end of the journey, a pi?ata stuffed with candy and fruit is broken. Christmas itself is usually celebrated on Christmas Eve in Mexico with a midnight mass and a late dinner. Modern influences have introduced the Christmas tree and Santa Claus along with the tradition.
Pastorelas
This Mexican Christmas tradition refers to events prior to the birth of Jesus. Pastorelas are a Mexican version of Europe's medieval miracle plays. They are usually performed in the afternoon or early evenings of the last weeks of December most often outdoors in a public square, the courtyard of a church or an inn. The players may be local people, groups of school children, semi-professional traveling troupes of actors during the Christmas season. The performance might last from half an hour to several hours or all night.
Pastorela means pastoral or a play that takes place in the countryside and concerns the activities of pastores, or shepherds. The plot portrays the pilgrimage of the shepherds to Bethlehem to see the newborn Jesus. They were first introduced in Mexico by missionaries in the 1500's and continued to grow in popularity. Today they are one of the most popular Christmastime entertainments.
Flor de Nochebuena (Christmas flower) the Poinsettia
The cuetlaxochitl, or Poinsettia, is known as the Christmas flower due to its red color and because it blooms mainly in December. These beautiful red flowers native to Mexico have become a symbol of Christmas. In some countries, it is known as Poinsettia after a former US ambassador to Mexico, Joel R. Poinset. Pre-Hispanic Mexicans also used the flower for medicinal purposes. The red blossoms were believed to stimulate circulation to the heart if placed on the chest and were also crushed and applied to skin infections.
Pi?ata
One of the merriest Mexican Christmas traditions is that of the pi?ata, a whimsically decorated, brightly colored hollow figure that holds candy and other goodies designed to be smashed to give up its treats. The true pi?ata uses a large clay pot for the base, and becomes just about anything imaginable using cr?pe or tissue paper, papier-mach?, tinsel and sometimes colored paints and sequins for decorations. No matter what material a pi?ata is made of nowadays, you can find them in just about any shape from angels, Santa Claus, donkeys, flowers, clowns and stars, all with gaily colored streamers.
Dia de Reyes (Epiphany)
Each year, this Mexican Christmas tradition continues. The children gather at the Alameda Central Park in Mexico City to visit the Three Magi (The Three Kings) and hand deliver letters with their wishes and gifts in the tradition of the Three Wise Men who presented the Christ Child with gold, incense and myrrh. The traditional Epiphany supper of ring-shaped cake with hot chocolate originated in Spain and made its way to Mexico. The cake is decorated with sugar and dried fruit. A small figure representing the Christ Child is hidden inside the cake. The century old tradition is for whoever finds the "Child" is spiritually obliged to present the figure at the nearest church on February 2 and offer a tamale party in his honor.
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