Christmas in Mexico
In Mexico, Christmas is celebrated the last two weeks of December and on into the New Year. Most people take off work those last two weeks in December to spend more time with the family and visit with old friends. Here are a few of the traditions that are carried out during this time:
Las Posadas
Los Posadas are a series of nine nightly celebrations that start on December 16 and end on December 24 (Noche Buena). Each night, people walk down the street holding candles and figures of Jesus, Mary and/or popular saints. As they walk, they sing Christmas songs and sometimes stop for a prayer or religious reading. The procession ends at a designated church, where inside they will hold mass followed by a celebration of food and traditional fruit punch, consisting of sugar cane, prunes, guava, cinnamon sticks, and a little round fruit called "tejocote." This tradition represents the biblical account of Mary and Joseph looking for a place to stay. For Los Posadas, the outside of houses are decorated with evergreens, moss and paper lanterns.
Breaking the Piñata
During each evening of Los Posadas, there is the traditional breaking of the piñata. Paper mache sculptures called piñatas are filled with candy and coins, and hung from the ceiling. Children take turns hitting the piñata until it breaks and the candy all falls out. When this happens, the children race to gather as much of the candy and goodies as they can.
Noche Buena
In Mexico, Christmas Eve is known as "Noche Buena" and is a day spent with family. This is the last night of the Posadas and includes the main Christmas meal. At midnight, many people go to "Misa de Gallo" or Mass of the Rooster. The service is followed by fireworks to celebrate Christmas Day.
Santa Claus
Influence from the United States brought the concept of Santa Claus, as well as Christmas trees and gifts, to Mexico. Many Christmas celebrations now coincide with those north of the Mexican border on December 25. However, the traditional day for children to receive presents is still Three Kings Day (Epiphany or Dia de los Reyes) on January 6. Many children now expect gifts on both days.
Dia de los Reyes
Dia de los Reyes, or Three Kings Day, is celebrated on January 6 and is the day that presents are left by the Three Kings (or Magi). It's tradition to eat a special cake called "Rosca de Reyes" or Three Kings Cake on this holiday. A tiny plastic baby to represent Jesus is baked into the cake and whoever finds the baby has to throw a party on February 2nd, Dia de Candelaria, for everyone else. The party typically involves eating tamales and dancing. This celebration marks the end of the Mexican Christmas celebrations.
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